Town Council - Meeting Recap - Jan 24, 2018

The major item for the evenings action was the Audit Report for FY 2017. I prepared my preview of the report for you and much of this was also part of the details covered in the meeting.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/insights-from-audit-report-2017.html

In Legislative action, the Council 

• approved a change of Manager for the beer/wine license at Table and Vine (part of Big Y)
• approved acceptance of gifts for the Council on Aging and the Police Dept.
• approved a move to second reading for an increase in the sales tax on marijuana products from 2% to 3%.
• approved an amendment to the streets/sidewalks to allow for enforcement when a contractor in clearing land leaves debris all over the road, this moves to a second reading
• approved changes to the sewer and water rates moving both items to a second reading. The rates would increase approx $40 for sewer and $40 for water on an annual basis

The official action taken document as posted:




Additional details reported live during the meeting can be found here

• Live Reporting: Town Administration Report to Clos...
• Live reporting: Subcommittee reports - Legislation...
• Live reporting: Audit Report - FY 2017
• Live reporting: Town Council - Jan 24, 2018

the winter season signs along Main St were changed out, the lights and
decorations on the Town Common came down this week

Insights from the Audit Report 2017

The Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2017 does not have a "Management Letter" this time around. Hence, one can easily say the Town is in the best financial position from a control perspective than ever before.

The Audit Report is a good source of information, not just data.

How much stabilization money do we have?
At the end of 2017, the total was $6.7M a decrease of $1.3M primarily due to the use the purchase of the fire truck and the resurfacing of the turf fields. Both have stabilization accounts where we were saving for this expected purchase. (See the table at the top of page 10 of the printed doc, page 13 of the PDF for details).

How much did the FY 2017 budget change during the year?
You might be surprised to find that we added $3.9M to the budget but that was primarily due to the use of the "free cash" from the prior year. The expenditures for the fire truck and turf fields helped to contribute to this as money from "free cash" was added to what was saved in their respective stabilization accounts to provide the total for each purchase. (See General Fund Budgetary Highlights on page 10 of the printed doc, page 13 of the PDF for details).

How many stabilization funds do we have and what amount is in each?
Other than the agenda doc for each Finance Committee meeting which shows the current total during the fiscal year, this is one place to see that answer. The table also shows the change in funds along with the change in amounts over the years from 2008 to 2017. (See section G. Stabilization Funds on pages 11-12 of the printed doc, page 14-15 of the PDF for details).

How do we get "free cash"?
"Free cash" is neither free nor cash. It comes from two sources. (1) You receive more revenue than you budgeted for (2) you spend less than you budgeted for. You can see this effect in the table on See General Fund Statement of Revenues and Other Sources, Expenditures and Other Uses - Budget and Actual, for the year ended June 30, 2017. According to this, we should have $2.9M 'free cash' to use for FY 2018 which is less than we had available in FY 2017 (recall the $3.9M). (See page 19 of the printed doc, page 22 of the PDF for details).


You can find the audit report on the Town of Franklin webpage as part of the Town Council agenda for the January 24 meeting.
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/2017_audit.pdf

Insights from the Audit Report 2017

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 24, 2018

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/january_24_agenda.pdf

Agenda Item	Summary
A. Approval of Minutes	A. Approval of Minutes 1. December 13, 2017 2. December 20, 2017
B. Announcements	B. Announcements This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. Proclamations/Recognitions	C. Proclamations/Recognitions
D. Citizen Comments	D. Citizen Comments - Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five 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.
E. Appointments	E. Appointments
F. Hearings	F. Hearings
G. License Transactions	G. License Transactions 1. Table and Vine Inc. - Change of Manager
H. Presentations/Discussions	H. Presentations/Discussions 1. 2017 Audit
I. Subcommittee Reports	I. Subcommittee Reports 1. Capital 2. Budget 3. EDC
J. Legislation for Action	J. Legislation for Action 1. Resolution 18-01 - Acceptance of Gifts - Council on Aging (Motion to Move Resolution 18-01 - Majority Vote (5)) 2. Resolution 18-02 - Acceptance of Gifts - Franklin Police Department (Motion to Move Resolution 18-02 - Majority Vote (5)) 3. Resolution 18-03 - Local Adoption of G.L. Chapter 64N, Section 3, as Amended: Local Tax on Marijuana Retail Sales and Establishment of Tax rate (Motion to Move Resolution 18-03 - Majority Vote (5)) 4. Bylaw Amendment 18-798: Chapter 155, Streets and Sidewalks - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-798 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5)) 5. Bylaw Amendment 18-799: Chapter 82, Fees, Appendix B - Sewer Rates - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-799 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5)) 6. Bylaw Amendment 18-800: Chapter 82, Fees, Appendix B - Water Rates - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-800 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5))
K. Town Administrator's Report	K. Town Administrator's Report
L. Future Agenda Items	L. Future Agenda Items
M. Council Comments	M. Council Comments
N. Executive Session	N. Executive Session - None Scheduled
O. Adjourn	O. Adjourn

Town Common memorials at night

Live Reporting: Town Council - March 22, 2017

Present: Mercer (remote), Pellegri, Padula, Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones
Absent: none

A. Approval of Minutes	Approval of March 1, 2017 Meeting Minutes motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
B. Announcements	This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. Proclamations/Recognitions
D. Citizen Comments	Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five 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. none
E. Appointments	none
F. Hearings	Hearing on Whether to Exercise the Town's First Refusal Option to Purchase Land on Washington Street - 7:10 pm
G. License Transactions	British Beer Company - Change of Manager - 7:10 pm
H. Presentations/Discussions	Auditors Melanson Heath provides an overview of the audit report a good report (see the management letter for details) OPEB accounting rules are changing and will be reflected in the annual statements more accurately to show the overall liability   town doing a good job of collecting taxes in a timely manner about 10% in unassigned funds, usually about 9-10% and hence in a strong financial position budget versus actual, the difference is the 'free cash' revenue side of the budget came in higher than forecasted expenses came in lower than what was budget (the $3M difference is the 'free cash' amount used in the capital budget. The mount varies each year but the process is the same.) OPEB Trust set up contributions of $600,000

The financial statements are strong, the bond rating agencies look favorably on this

at high end of the range and consistent for several years which is also good

enterprise funds used for water, sewer and solid waste, all with positive balances

the better bond rating, the lower interest rate you end up paying

you were able to put $600K into the fund but it is not much, you are not alone in that deficit, many other communities are also struggling with that. They would like to see more or at least consistently do something in that end. Franklin is on the higher end of addressing the OPEB requirements

not many doing what we are doing right now

(note - video feed problems being worked by Franklin TV) will be available for rebroadcast

No material weaknesses or deficiencies

recommendation on a more formal risk assessment process

FYI - statement #75 on the OPEB accounting changes coming

FYI - reauthorizing the OPEB Trust under new legislation

Nutting - when our legislators coming this Spring, we need to request help again on the OPEB matter

Pellegri - the residents should be pleased with the reports and the way we are doing business

Melanson - thanks for all the help and preparedness, it made it easy to do

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 22, 2017

Note: The left column contains links to the supporting documents for each of the agenda sections

A. Approval of Minutes	Approval of March 1, 2017 Meeting Minutes
B. Announcements	This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. Proclamations/Recognitions
D. Citizen Comments	Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five 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.
E. Appointments
F. Hearings	Hearing on Whether to Exercise the Town's First Refusal Option to Purchase Land on Washington Street - 7:10 pm
G. License Transactions	British Beer Company - Change of Manager - 7:10 pm
H. Presentations/Discussions	Auditors
I. Subcommittee Reports	(Update provided during meeting)
J. Legislation for Action
1. Resolution 17-17 Acceptance of Access Easement Over Property at 121 Longhill Road	1. Resolution 17-17: Acceptance of Access Easement Over Property at 121 Longhill Road (Motion to Move Resolution 17-17: Majority vote (5))
2. Resolution 17-18: Order of Franklin Town Council, Exercising Town's G.L. Chapter 61, Section 8 First Refusal Option, Re: Land of William C. Roode and Jeanne M. Roode, Containing Approximately 12.5 Acres on Washing STreet...	2. Resolution 17-18: Order of Franklin Town Council, Exercising Town's G.L. Chapter 61, Section 8 First Refusal Option, RE: Land of William C. Roode and Jeanne M. Roode, Containing Approximately 12.5 Acres on Washington Street, Title Reference: Norfolk Registry of Deeds Book 5501, Page 521 (Motion to Move Resolution 17-18: 2/3/Majority vote (6))
3. Resolution 17-19: Redirect Bond Proceeds	3. Resolution 17-19: Redirect Bond Proceeds (Motion to Move Resolution 17-19: Majority vote (5))
4. Bylaw Amendment 17-787: Chapter 179, Water - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-787 to a 2nd Reading: Majority vote (5))	4. Bylaw Amendment 17-787: Chapter 179, Water - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-787 to a 2nd Reading: Majority vote (5))
K. Town Administrator's Report	Town Administrator's Report
L. Future Agenda Items	Future Agenda Items
M. Council Comments	Council Comments
N. Executive Session	Executive Session - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining -  all Municipal units
O. Adjourn	O. Adjourn

large street crossing downtown Franklin

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 9, 2016

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS 

– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS 

– Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five 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.

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

1. 2015 Audit – Melanson Heath, Auditors
2. Mandatory Alcohol Awareness Training for Licensees

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 16-11: Declaration of Town-Owned Land on Grove Street (Portion of Former Nu-Style Property) as Surplus and Available for Disposition
2. Resolution 16-12: Authorization for Municipal Aggregation of Electricity
3. Resolution 16-13: Appropriation: Town Administrator: Insurance Recovery Account – 28123490
4. Resolution 16-14: Appropriation: Records Management – Assessors
5. Bylaw Amendment 16-755: Chapter 179, Water – 1st Reading
6. Bylaw Amendment 16-756: Chapter 170 Vehicles and Traffic Article X Winter
7. Storm Overnight Parking – 1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M.NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
- Pending or threatened litigation
1. Proposed Excelon expansion of Medway electric generating facility pending before Energy Facilities Siting Board.
2. Proposed Spectra gas transmission line through Franklin.

P. ADJOURN

The documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2016%20Complete/03092016.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building

"The future poses some thorny issues"

The "recent' audit is actually an annual event for Franklin. This year was an achievement in that the audit results were the best of the past several years.

A recent audit of the town has found its finances “solid and well-managed,” while drawing attention to a multimillion-dollar post-employment benefits liability still looming over every budget. 

Melanson & Heath, a New Hampshire-based accounting and tax firm, presented information from its audit to the Town Council this week. The firm gave Franklin an unqualified opinion, meaning it believes the town’s financial statements are sound and free from any material misstatements. 

Karen Snow, an accountant with Melanson & Heath, highlighted the town’s upgraded bond rating, which improved last year from AA to AA+. 

“Part of the reason (Standard & Poor’s) upgraded that is because they feel you have a nice solid fund balance and you don’t have any plans to spend that fund balance down,” Snow explained.

Continue reading the MDN article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150403/NEWS/150408041/1994/NEWS

Franklin Municipal Building

My reporting on the audit results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/this-purple-heart-community-received.html

The 2014 audit results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/what-is-public-need.html

The 2013 audit results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/town-council-020613.html