Showing posts with label five year plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label five year plan. Show all posts

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Long term planning

Two area communities that saw voters turn down requests for tax increases last year are crafting long-term plans that, officials hope, will clearly lay out their town's financial future.

Franklin and Ashland have both created committees with the task of developing three-year budget forecasts, and assessing ways to reduce expenses and increase revenues.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West section here

The meeting notes and live reports for the Financial Planning Committee can be found in the 2008 Meeting Summary along the right column of Franklin Matters

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Appointment of Financial Plan Subcommittee (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 6/4/08

School Committee representatives:
Roberta Trahan, Matt Kelly

Finance Committee representatives:
Jim Roche, Rebecca Cameron

Town Council representatives:
Deborah Bartlett, Steve Whalen, Shannon Zollo

Franklin citizen representatives:
Douglas Hardesty, Gwynne Willschek

first meeting to be arranged by Deb Bartlett


Time: 39 seconds



MP3 File

Other than the councilors present for the meeting, no one on the committee was present. It took all of 39 seconds to make the appointment. There was no objective or charge stated. One is forced to ask if they are really serious about this effort.

Live reporting - Town Council 6/4/08

Mason, Doak, McGann won't be attending tonight
With Feeley, Pfeffer, Bartlett, and Vallee present they need Whalen and Zollo for quorum

stay tuned

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Zollo just arrived to provide quorum, meeting begins
Whalen arrives shortly after to provide 2/3 majority of council

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approval of minutes
April 2, 16, 30, 2008; May 7, 2008; Dec 5, 2007

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Citizens comment
Frank Falvey

with Fiscal year completed, audit report should have been completed by now
audit should be ready for the election, in case there is something revealed that could have bearing on the vote
why hasn't this been completed?
Audit firm probably should not be renewed for next year
procedures for comments and feedback for dialog is flawed
Inappropriate and incorrect

on an unrelated matter, what is being done in Franklin with regards to the sale of cigarettes
to minors

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Finance study subcommittee announced

School Committee representatives:
Roberta Trahan, Matt Kelly

Finance Committee representatives:
Jim Roche, Rebecca Cameron

Town Council representatives:
Deborah Bartlett, Steve Whalen, Shannon Zollo

Franklin citizen representatives:
Douglas Hardesty, Gwynne Willschek

Deb Bartlett to arrange for the first meeting

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Sunday, June 1, 2008

Q & A 9 - Arlington plan? Feeley responds (audio)

From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.

Q - What about something like the Arlington plan? Do you think it would be wise to do that?

A - Feeley, a committee is being formed now that would look at that process.

Time: 1 minute, 32 seconds



MP3 File

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

5 Year Plan committee to be formed

During the New Business portion, Chairman Chris Feeley put forth a proposal to name a committee to develop a five year projection. The group would be comprised of
  • 2 School Committee representatives
  • 2 Finance committee representatives
  • 3 Town Councilors

I stepped forward to make the suggestion to add two citizens to the panel. In so doing, this would allow the community to take part in this critical activity. This would be a compelling step to helping restore trust in the administration and elected officials. There is some distrust in the community.

The motion was amended to include two citizens and approved unanimously.

"taxpayers expect and deserve a five-year plan"

"The most important thing we can do to help pass the ($2.8 million) override is to immediately begin an intensive planning process that will lead to the development of a five-year financial plan before the year is over," said School Committee member Ed Cafasso.

"It's badly needed. Not only do taxpayers expect and deserve a five-year plan, we as town officials need a blueprint to guide our decisions going forward - we can no longer afford to beg for a life preserver every year," said Cafasso.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

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Learn all you need to by visiting here frequently.

Visit the School Committee override page for the schedule of information sessions

Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th