Showing posts with label audit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label audit. Show all posts

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Sharing 2 articles from the rebranded CommonWealth Beacon; Dizoglio audit & Danielle Allen interview

Via CommonWealth Beacon (formerly CommonWealth Magazine):

"Campbell says DiZoglio lacks legal authority to audit Legislature"
"ATTORNEY GENERAL Andrea Campbell notified state Auditor Diana DiZoglio on Thursday evening that the auditor’s office lacks the legal authority to audit the Legislature without its consent.

The decision by Campbell deals a major setback to DiZoglio’s crusade to scrutinize the policies and procedures of the House and Senate chambers where she used to serve, but it doesn’t end it.

In addition to seeking Campbell’s legal opinion on her authority to audit the Legislature, DiZoglio is pursuing a ballot question that would establish a law giving her that power. Campbell, who certified the question as legally suitable to go on the ballot, said in effect that her response to DiZoglio’s request is an interpretation of existing law and is unrelated to the quest for a new law.

“I believe transparency is a cornerstone of good government, but that transparency must be achieved through methods that are consistent with the law,” Campbell said. “As the chief law officer of the Commonwealth, it is my office’s role to determine the legal position of the state by looking at the law as it exists on the books today, and evaluating what that law allows, and what it does not. After a thorough review of the statutory text, pertinent Supreme Judicial Court decisions, and relevant history, we have concluded that current law does not allow an audit of the Legislature over its objection.”

 

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, surrounded by past audits by her office of the Legislature or legislative committees. (Photo by Bruce Mohl)
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, surrounded by past audits by her office of the Legislature or legislative committees. (Photo by Bruce Mohl)

"Danielle Allen says we have work to do on Massachusetts democracy"

"MASSACHUSETTS IS rightly proud of its “revolutionary tradition,” but according to democracy scholar Danielle Allen, the health of the state’s democratic structures isn’t all rosy in practice

“A healthy democracy depends on a couple of critical values,” Allen, a Harvard professor of political philosophy, ethics, and public policy, said on a live episode of The Codcast. “There’s the value of inclusion, really achieving full inclusion, the value of engagement or participation, and then the value of competitiveness. And on each of those dimensions, we can see room for improvement in Massachusetts.”

Allen is focused on what she calls the work of “democratic renovation,” in part through her role as president and founder of Partners in Democracy. The organization pushes for reforms to bolster running for office, voting in elections, and making government systems more transparent. Allen herself made a short-lived bid for governor last year, pushing for many of these reforms."

Continue reading the article online, or listen to the Codcast Episode with the Danielle Allen conversation.  https://commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/danielle-allen-says-we-have-work-to-do-on-massachusetts-democracy/


Sunday, May 7, 2023

Inclusionary zoning bylaw approved by Town Council in key action at meeting May 3 (audio)

FM #991 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 991 in the series.

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 for their regular meeting and covered a number of items. One of the major achievements was the passage of the inclusionary zoning bylaw. This was one of the action items from the Franklin For All project and a significant accomplishment.

Among the other news worthy items on the agenda were
  • All alcohol license approved for Sierra's Brick Oven Pizza
  • Corporate record license changes for both Longhorn Restaurant and the 99 Restaurant were approved
  • Financial Audit report for FY 2022 reveals a clean report, no actions, no management letter, the Town maintains their AAA rating status
  • Presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District
  • Update on the long awaited Beaver St interceptor, bids came in below expectations, sewer rates will rise and remain to pay for the 20 year borrowing costs of this major infrastructure project
  • PFAS regulation increases proposed by EPA can cost us significantly. Well 7 is currently offline, more wells may be in jeopardy of shutdown due to increased monitoring. Yet, PFAS is still being made, is a forever chemical and is major concern for future water supply quality and cost thereof



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The full agenda and documents associated with it can be found online ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-for-may.html

Franklin TV's video recording of the meeting is available for replay on YouTube

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF. 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"



Monday, October 31, 2022

Boston Globe: "Details of Anthony Amore’s divorce are becoming an issue in Mass. auditor’s race."

"The details of the Republican candidate for state auditor’s divorce proceedings have become an issue in the statewide race, as Anthony Amore is answering questions about the 2010 divorce with less than two weeks until Election Day.

An NBC10 Boston report last week revealed that documents related to the divorce proceedings included a temporary restraining order, the confiscation of Amore’s firearm, and allegations of verbal and emotional abuse. His ex-wife also alleged in the court filings that he shoved her.

Reporter Janet Wu, a panelist on WCVB’s “On the Record” program, asked him during a Sunday appearance to address the allegations raised in the news report.

Amore denied there was any abuse, and said that “any allegation against me is unsubstantiated.”
Continue reading the Boston Globe article online (subscription may be required) 

Boston Globe: "Details of Anthony Amore’s divorce are becoming an issue in Mass. auditor’s race."
Boston Globe: "Details of Anthony Amore’s divorce are becoming an issue in Mass. auditor’s race."

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Frank Presents: 045 - Anthony Amore (audio)

In this episode, Frank Falvey sits down with Anthony Amore, Republican candidate for Mass. State Auditor, to discuss his background, what the Mass. State Auditor position does and what Anthony hopes to accomplish in the position.


Frank Presents: 045 - Anthony Amore (audio)
Frank Presents: 045 - Anthony Amore (audio)


Friday, October 28, 2022

School Committee hears of the DEI plan and Equity Audit findings (audio)

FM #866 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 866 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Oct 25, 2022. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers with all seven members present. 


School Committee Chair Denise Spencer opens the meeting at 7:00 PM. 


Key item on the agenda

Diversity Equity & Inclusion Improvement Plan reviewed including the Equity Audit findings which inform the plan


The show notes contain a link to the full agenda and to my notes & photos captured via Twitter during the meeting. 


The Committee entered Executive Session on a negotiation discussion not to return to public meeting.


The recording runs about three hours, thirty four minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin School Committee on Oct 25, 2022.


Audio file ->  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-866-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-10-25-22


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School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 


The agenda for this meeting can be found

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/10-25-agenda

 

The Packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting.

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-25-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

My notes captured via Twitter and compiled into one PDF doc ->

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mrhwQ21akMfp7Mnm4vjMDf5ukTnkOvPA/view?usp=sharing

 

YouTube video link for this meeting -> https://youtu.be/T8qQATbsSSU


Photos from the meeting (mostly screen shots of the presentations not yet posted to the packet folder)  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ErB6FBWpuQ6DBNhH8 


--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


School Committee hears of the DEI plan and Equity Audit findings (audio)
School Committee hears of the DEI plan and Equity Audit findings (audio) 

Friday, October 14, 2022

"commitments and authorizations under state law that are not fully kept by the Commonwealth"

"THE STATE HAS a $1.2 billion shortfall in aid promised to cities, towns, and school districts, Auditor Suzanne Bump concluded in a report released Thursday. 

The report looked at several major categories of state aid and identified $711.4 million in unfunded mandates related to school aid; $448.3 million related to school transportation; and $103.3 million in government aid, mainly related to the Community Preservation Act. 

“The state should be accountable to fulfill its funding obligations to cities and towns,” Bump said in an interview. “These are mandates that have long been on the books, and it just seems it’s easier to focus on the new and forget about the old.” 

State law prohibits unfunded mandates, requiring the Legislature to fund anything it requires cities and towns to do. But practically, lawmakers have often ignored those obligations. For example, they regularly appropriate only a portion of mandated expenses for school transportation.  

“Insufficient state appropriations or allocations have left programs underfunded, and some programs have seen financial obligations completely ignored despite a commitment under law,” the report says. "

Continue reading the CommonWealth Magazine article online ->



State Auditor Suzanne Bump.
State Auditor Suzanne Bump

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Financial Audit Report for FY 2021

Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s Annual Report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election.

Melanson and Heath presented the recent Audit Report for their review of Town of Franklin financial operations. The presentation and discussion occurred at the May 4, 2022 Town Council meeting. It was a clean report.

FY21 Annual Financial Audit - Melanson and Heath  

Audio of the Town Council meeting

Audio of my Town Council Quarterbacking session with Council Chair Tom Mercer

Congressman Auchincloss poses with Town Council, Town Administrator, and Town Clerk
Congressman Auchincloss poses with Town Council, Town Administrator, and Town Clerk at the May 4, 2022 meeting

Prior year audit report are found on the Town of Franklin page:

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

The journey rather than the destination is a hiking theme through much of this Talk Franklin episode (audio)

FM #798 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 798 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge.

Conversation around the following topics with a common thread of peaks and valleys, journey more important than the destination:

Welcome back

Friday 13th

 

So much good happening

  • Fire dept ISO Class 1

  • Clean audit report

  • AAA bond rating

  • DPW water conservation award

 

Where do you go from here?  The challenge is greater to maintain this

 

Budget through Finance Committee

Next up Town Council (May 25, May 26)

 

MAPC forum and recommendations


The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie as we “Talk Franklin”.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-798-talk-franklin-05-13-22

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Town of Franklin meeting calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar 

Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Franklin For All -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/ 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com.

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


The journey rather than the destination is a hiking theme through much of this Talk Franklin episode (audio)
The journey rather than the destination is a hiking theme through much of this Talk Franklin episode (audio)

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 4, 2022 - 7 PM

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
May 4, 2022 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street  

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. March 16, 2022
b. April 6, 2022
4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a. Proclamation - Harriet DiMartino

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 PM
a. Alcoholic Beverages Licensees, Failure to Pass Compliance Check - Continued from 4/13/2022
i. TM1 Solutions, Inc. d/b/a 7-Eleven 37380 - 664 Union Street  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6a.i_7-eleven_1_0.pdf
ii. Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World - 365 West Central Street


b. Street Acceptances: 
i. Joseph Circle
ii. Susan's Way, and a portion of Lawrence Drive
 
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Discussion: Congressman Jake Auchincloss, 4th Congressional District
b. Presentation: FY21 Annual Financial Audit - Melanson and Heath  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._presentation_-_audit.pdf
9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 22-27: Order of Acceptance of Joseph Circle as a Public Way and Related Utility and Drainage Easements (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-27 - Two-thirds Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._22-27_street_acceptances_joseph_circle.pdf
b. Resolution 22-28: Order of Acceptance of Susan's Way and a portion of Lawrence Drive as Public Ways and Related Utility and Drainage Easements (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-28 - Two-thirds Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._22-28_street_acceptances_susans_way_and_portion_lawrence_dr.pdf
c. Bylaw Amendment 22-879: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Appendix A, Fines, Parking Violations - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-879 to Second Reading - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._downtown_parking_fines.pdf
d. Bylaw Amendment 22-880: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking Prohibitions and Limitations, D. Parking Prohibited, Downtown Parking Map - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-880 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9d._22-880_downtown_parking_map_0.pdf
e. Resolution 22-29: Gift Acceptance - Fire Dept. ($275), Veterans’ Services Dept. ($100) (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-29 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9e._22-29_gift_acceptance_fd_vets_375.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. Davis-Thayer Update

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

15. ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting



Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 4, 2022 - 7 PM
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 4, 2022 - 7 PM


Friday, April 22, 2022

More Perfect Union: 044 - MASS State Auditor Candidates Chris Dempsey and Diana DiZoglio (audio)

In this episode, the group is joined by Massachusetts State Auditor candidates Chris Dempsey and Diana DiZoglio to talk about what the job entails, what problems face Massachusetts what they aim to accomplish in this position.

Audio file -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/044-massachusetts-state-auditors-chris-dempsey-and-diana-dizoglio 

044 - MASS State Auditor Candidates Chris Dempsey and Diana DiZoglio (audio)
044 - MASS State Auditor Candidates Chris Dempsey and Diana DiZoglio (audio)

Friday, March 25, 2022

"despite legislation having good intentions, there can be unforeseen cost elements"

"The State Auditor’s Division of Local Mandates released a report yesterday that identified 29 state statutes passed between 2016 and 2020 that have a significant financial impact on Massachusetts cities and towns without sufficient state funding to offset the costs.

The “Five-Year Statutory Fiscal Impact Report” finds that the state continues to pass laws that often require resources from cities and towns for implementation, and that these measures are largely financed by local property taxes as state aid lags behind increasing local costs. The report also documents that state aid as a share of total municipal revenue decreased between fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2020, while state assessments on cities and towns increased. "

Continue reading article online ->

Download a copy of the full report here ->


“Five-Year Statutory Fiscal Impact Report”
Five-Year Statutory Fiscal Impact Report

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

MA State House News: Baker differs on tax breaks; Auditor says communities should get support to run elections

Via CommonWealth Magazine, we find these share worthy: 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER told lawmakers on Tuesday that Massachusetts can easily afford his package of $700 million in tax cuts, and the state needs some of the changes benefitting higher-income taxpayers to prevent them from moving elsewhere.

“Not only can we afford this tax relief proposal, we believe it’s time to give Massachusetts families back some of the tax revenue that they created through their hard work,” Baker told the Legislature’s Revenue Committee at a hybrid hearing held in person and virtually on the first day the State House was open in nearly two years.

The tax relief package in some sense pits a Republican governor against a Democrat-controlled Legislature whose leaders to date have not made reducing taxes a high priority. During the hearing, Democratic lawmakers focused most of their attention on the governor’s proposed reductions in the estate tax and the income tax on short-term capital gains — two taxes that benefit wealthier individuals. They suggested the money for those tax breaks could be better spent on reducing taxes paid by lower-income taxpayers."

Continue reading the article online
"THE STATE WILL OWE cities and towns more than $2 million to keep polling places open for additional mandated voting hours during the September 2022 state primary and November 2022 general elections, Auditor Suzanne Bump said Tuesday.

Under the 1983 Uniform Polling Hours Law, cities and towns must keep polling locations open for at least 13 hours on primary and general election days, an increase from the previously-required 10 hours of voting. The law also directs the auditor to certify what offering the extra hours will cost municipalities with the costs to be paid through the secretary of state’s office."