FM $144 - Finance Committee - Final Budget Hearing - FY 2019 (audio)

FM #144

This internet radio show or podcast is number 144 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording is of the Finance Committee final budget hearing for the FY 2019 budget review. The meeting was held on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. The meeting began at 6:00 PM.

The school budget, Police Dept, and Technology budgets were reviewed and discussed before the committee made its vote to recommend the budget as proposed to the Town Council. The Town Council budget hearings are scheduled for May 16 and 17. The budget is currently unbalanced and the Town Council will need to vote to use approx $1.4M of the debt stabilization account to balance the budget as required.

As mentioned at the beginning of the budget hearings, this is the proposed approach to address the budget shortfall this year, effectively buying some time for many new players in key roles. The FY 2020 budget will also be an issue and by this move (use of debt stabilization funds), there will need to be either an override discussion or significant cuts to the services.

The use of the revolving funds on the school budget side and the use of the debt stabilization funds on the Town side creates a hole that will require some serious discussion and action to resolve. There won’t be an opportunity to avoid the discussion next year.

The meeting itself runs about 39 minutes. My notes were captured via Twitter for this meeting and can be found at FranklinMatters.org/
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/finance-committee-recap-fy-2019-budget.html

Without further ado, here is the audio recording.

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

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

How can you help?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors.

If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.

Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

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 = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

The notes for the meeting can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/finance-committee-recap-fy-2019-budget.html

Voices of Franklin: Sean Slater on a Tax Override Question

Hello fellow Franklin residents 

My name is Sean Patrick Slater and I am running as a 1st time candidate for the Town Council. There has been a couple of hot topics that have come up recently in the social media forums. While collecting signatures I was asked if I would support an override. Given the informal discussions around this issue you would think it would be a complicated issue. It is not, it is simple. 

There is no such thing as an “unexpected” or “emergency” expense. A tax increase request in the form of an override is an admission to an unbalanced budget. Proper planning eliminates the need to ask for more money due to unscheduled expenses. I believe citizens, including myself, recognize that managing a budget for 33,000 residents is a massive responsibility. I also believe those involved with the budget process start out with nothing but the best intentions. That being said, the size of the budget and the unmet demand for services should not be used as override rhetoric. 

If you hear we need an override to pay for road repairs and/or to help fund a $93M OPEB unfunded obligation, I would follow that up with a question; with a budget of approximately $113M, where specifically were these dollars allocated? Trust then verify. If we are saying $113M is not enough to run this town then I would humbly ask to validate each line item in the town budget that looks questionable. There is a reason overrides have been repeatedly voted down, Franklin residents are intelligent enough to use common sense. 

The other question I was asked was “if the question does surprisingly make the ballot, would the outcome of the vote change how you would conduct business on behalf of the town? Regardless of an override outcome, our priority is always to be as fiscally responsible as necessary in carrying out the will of the people. We do not change our approach or behavior based on a vote. The way we allocate or prioritize may change in respect to budget items. 

However, we, as a Council, should not be using the results of a vote to compromise our commitment to fiscal discipline. Both scenarios will require an open and honest communication among the Council, Town Administrator, finance committee and department heads. A collaborative and common sense approach is the best way to move forward with an issue that is this controversial. 

Chalk it up to my experience in corporate America but in my current job, if I know I am unable to keep the project on budget they will find somebody else who can. If I ask my SVP for more money without any legitimate evidence to validate that request then he would tell me to take some time off after laughing me out of his office. In the private sector this is known as the chicken little defense. The sky is not falling just because we are not receiving more funds, rather the confidence is falling because we are abandoning reason and logic in asking for those funds. 

Thank you for your time. 

Thanks
Sean P. Slater, PMP

Sean's email address =  seanp.slater_pmp@yahoo.com

Franklin Matters - Voices of Franklin

Guidelines for submission to "Voices of Franklin" can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Legislature Reaffirms Commitment to Education, Local Aid

House and Senate Votes Reaffirm Commitment to Education, Local Assistance

Legislature Addresses Gubernatorial Vetoes

BOSTON – The Legislature today took final action on the Fiscal Year 2016 budget, Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) announced. These veto overrides will enhance support for Massachusetts residents and municipalities, and ensure that local programs, education funding and economic development initiatives are well funded by the legislature.

"This final budget reflects a modest spending increase over last year that is within revenue projections," said Senator Spilka. "Over the past two days, we restored funding to critical programs and services, especially in areas related to education, homelessness, substance abuse and our innovation economy. This is a balanced budget that covers expected costs for the coming year and makes strategic investments to lift families across the Commonwealth."

Through the FY16 budget, the Legislature advanced its standing as the national leader in education for students of all ages. Recognizing the importance of providing statewide access to full-day kindergarten the Legislature overrode a cut to kindergarten expansion grants, reaffirming its support for funding in the amount of $18.6 million.

The Legislature also took action to emphasize its ongoing dedication to higher education, restoring cuts to the University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges. This week's overrides include the restoration of $5.25 million for UMass. As the university continues to distinguish itself as a pillar of excellence in public education and an economic driver for the Commonwealth, the Legislature remains committed to supporting its growth.

Understanding the vital role that community colleges and state universities have in educating individuals of diverse backgrounds, buoying workforce development efforts and improving local economies, the Legislature overrode more than $2.6M in cuts made to these institutions. The Legislature's budget as sent to the Governor also included a strong focus on early education and care (EEC). That commitment was reaffirmed through the restoration of $3.4 million in vetoes that support EEC programs and services.

Recognizing that education and economic development are intrinsically paired, the budget enhances the Legislature's focus on bolstering job opportunities for residents of all skillsets in diverse regions of the Commonwealth. Following action on the Administration's vetoes, the below programs are now funded at:

• MassCAN: $1.7 million to establish widespread, progressive computer science curriculum in public school through a public-private match program;

• Talent Pipeline: $1.5 million to encourage young innovators to get a head start on their futures by matching stipends for interns at innovation start-ups, and to provide mentoring opportunities for new entrepreneurs;

• STEM Starter Academy: $4.75 million to promote STEM careers at the Commonwealth's community colleges;

• Mass Tech Collaborative: $750K for the Mass Tech Collaborative Tech and Innovation Entrepreneurship program to establish entrepreneur and startup mentoring.

Travel and tourism, one of the state's largest industries, provides an opportunity for communities to bolster their economies in a way which is unique and appropriate for each region. The Legislature restored $5.17 million in cuts to the Office of Travel and Tourism and $2.37 million to the Massachusetts Cultural Council.    

Additional priorities include:

• $500,000 for a prostate cancer awareness and education program;

• More than $2.2 million for substance abuse treatment programs across the Commonwealth;

• Restoration of funding for unaccompanied homeless youth housing services;

• $3 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program for a total of $82.9M to support 900 to 1050 new vouchers for families at risk of homelessness;

• $2 million for the Early Education and Care Waitlist for a total of $12M to take 2,000 children off the waitlist for these critical services;

• $1.2 million for the Gateway Cities English Language Learners program.

Resolution 14-45: Dedicated Override to fund Road Repair - $1.5 million

RESOLUTION 14-45

DEDICATED PROPOSITION 2-1/2 OVERRIDE BALLOT QUESTION
FOR STABILIZATION FUND FOR ROADWAY, SIDEWALK AND
RELATED DRAINAGE WORK

WHEREAS, Subsection g of GL Chapter 59 Section 21C (Proposition 2 ½)authorizes a municipality to assess taxes in excess of the amount otherwise allowed, to fund a stabilization fund for a stated purpose, and

WHEREAS, The Town of Franklin (Town) has a significant backlog of roadways, sidewalks, and related drainage which require work, the cost for which exceeds forty-eight million dollars, and

WHEREAS, The Town desires to undertake said work,

NOW THEREFORE, The Franklin Town Council, as the appropriating authority for Town, hereby seeks voter approval as authorized by GL Chapter 59 Section 21C (g) to assess taxes in excess of the amount otherwise allowed, for the purpose of funding a stabilization fund for roadway, sidewalk, and related drainage work, and hereby directs the Town Clerk to place the following question on the ballot to be decided by voters at the general election to be held on Tuesday November 4, 2014;

Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $1,500,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of funding a stabilization fund as provided in GL Chapter 40 Section 5 B, said funds to be expended solely for roadway, sidewalk and related drainage work for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and sixteen?

This resolution shall become effective according to the provisions of the Franklin Home Rule Charter.



The full set of documents for the Town Council agenda for June 4, 2014 can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

one of the road repair steps is crack seal

Related posts:

From Aug 2013, the initial proposal
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/live-reporting-dpw-proposal-on-road.html

The presentation document from the Aug meeting
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/General_Pages/2013%20Roadway%20Presentation.pdf

From Mar 2014, the updated listing of road projects already being planned
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-dpw-update-road-projects.html

Franklin, MA: Override and Debt Exclusion History (new format)

As requested, I have formatted the override and debt exclusion history to make it easier to view






Hopefully this will make it easier to read the information on each election


You can also view this document here
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczanE1eWt1UXVIQVE


This was compiled from official MA and Franklin election records. If there is a mistake, it is not intended. Please let me know what you think is an error and I'll check it out with the official records.

Proposed Ballot Question for Debt Exclusion

The proposed ballot question language.

Resolution 12 - 07

Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition two-and-one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to construct a new high school, to be located at 218 Oak Street, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto?

Compared to the language of the ballot questions for the prior debt exclusions:

Oct 10, 2000

Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds to be issued in order to finance the construction and equipping of renovation and an addition to the Horace Mann School, in the principal amount not to exceed $29,900,000, a portion of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Nov 2, 1999
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds to be issued in order to finance the construction and original equipping of a new combination elementary/middle school, the total cost of which is estimated by the School Building Committee to be $25,500,000 excluding land acquisition costs.

June 20, 1998
Shall the sum of $26,700,000 be appropriated for the construction and original equipping of a new school, which appropriation is in addition to the $300,000 appropriated for the planning costs related to the project by Resolution No. 98-25R and which appropriation bring the total amount appropriated for the project to $27,000,000; and, to meet this additional appropriation shall the Treasurer-Collector with the approval of the Town Administrator be authorized to borrow $26,700,000 in addition to the $300,000 authorized under resolution No. 98-25R, under G.L. c.44, sec 7 and or Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1945 as amended, provided, however, that no debt, except for up to an aggregate of $1,205,000 for planning and other preliminary expenses, may be incurred under this appropriation and Resolution No. 98-25R for the project until the State Department of Education has included the Town's application for a State School Construction grant for the project on its list of completed project applications, showing the priority assigned?

May 2, 1998
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds to be issued in order to finance the construction and original equipping of a new school, in the principal amount  of $27,000,000, 60% of the eligible cost of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education?

March 14, 1998
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds to be issued in order to finance the construction and original equipping of a new school , in the principal amount  of $49,000,000, a portion of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education?.

April 4, 1995
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on bonds, in the principal amount of $2,000,000, in order to finance the acquisition of land, or interests in land, for any purpose for which a city or town is or may hereafter be authorized to acquire land or interest therein, including but not limited to open space, public parks, or playgrounds, municipal outdoor recreational and athletic facilities, or school or municipal facilities?

Jan 31, 1995
Q1 - Shall the vote of the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District Committee passed on December 23, 1994 authorizing the incurring of debt in the amount of $2,362,364 for the purposes of financing costs of reconstructing, remodeling, making extraordinary repairs and equipping the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, including costs of design service consultants to prepare studies, final architectural and engineering plans, bid specifications and contractual documents and cost estimates including costs incidental and related thereto pursuant to chapter 71 of the General Laws, as amended, be approved?

Jan 31, 1995
Q2 - Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to finance the construction and remodeling, making extraordinary repairs and equipping the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, including cost of design service consultants to prepare studies, final architectural and engineering plans, bid specifications and contractual documents and cost estimates including costs incidental and related thereto?

Feb 12, 1994
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds, issued in order to finance the construction and equipping of a new school in the principal amount of $18,500,000, a portion of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education?

June 16, 1992
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to replace the high school roof in the amount of $1,290,000, a portion of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education?


The full details for these debt exclusions and the override votes can be found here
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdDVWaFU0N2ZsTEE2TUVuWHk5NURvQWc&hl=en_US#gid=0

This listing was compiled from both the official State records and official Town Clerk records. Those sources take precedence over this listing.

"does not expect the council to seek an override"

Current projections show the town would have to cut 25 jobs, including 14 school positions and possibly some police spots. The estimates have some officials worried as they hold off on a budget vote until final numbers are solidified. 

Lingering uncertainty has forced the Finance Committee to push its five budget meetings into early May. The Town Council typically holds its budget hearing over two consecutive nights once the Finance Committee makes its recommendation. 

"Oftentimes, we try to go out with the best info we have and then the state (numbers are better than expected) and it makes us look like we found money," Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche said. "We're trying to get as close as we can, so it's definitely later than usual."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x719609467/Franklin-taking-it-slow-on-budget-discussion#ixzz1IjddGXoW


Franklin, MA

"fundamental issue is we're still facing a deficit"

"We're trying very hard to avoid an override," Whalen said after the Town Council meeting. "We're very conscious of the fact that there's a potential for a double whammy and we want to avoid that." 

But, if town officials cannot balance the budget without significantly reducing services, it might be better to let voters decide if they want higher taxes or service cuts, he said. 

Town Councilor Tina Powderly agreed with Whalen's comments, noting she hopes that, with a better-than-expected local aid picture, the town can close the gap through savings on health care and further increasing government efficiency. 

"Every year you hope to balance the budget without an override," Powderly said. "There's certainly going to be a deficit. ... We hope to put enough of a bite into the deficit that we won't have to have an override."

Read more: Franklin officials hope to avoid override - The Milford Daily News



Franklin, MA

Override History Updated

Thanks to Judy Pfeffer for providing an update to the spreadsheet with the override history as there was one missing. The General Election in Nov 2004 included an override question and the details have been updated.

If you haven't viewed the spreadsheet it is a 'public' document and available here

The total operational overrides Franklin has voted on is 8, only one of which passed (2007).

There were 10 debt exclusions (primarily for school buildings) 7 of the 10 passed. (In the details, at least one of these had a couple of tries.)

There were 9 capital exclusions and all failed.


Franklin, MA

In the News - Override group, goal setting

Franklin group forms to support override

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin council holds goal-setting session tomorrow

by Staff reports

Franklin, MA

School Committee: What took so long?

• The School Committee met on June 8th, the day of the failed override vote. They also met on June 22, two weeks after the override vote.
• The letter to the FEA regarding the shortened day was dated July 6th and requested a response from the teachers union by July 20th.

Why did the School Committee wait so long to take action on what they knew was required?

The letter and results of the non-response by the teachers union can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/franklin-ma-no-shortened-day-for.html

Franklin, MA

"a NO vote is being penny-wise but pound-foolish"

How about this from the Boston Globe:

'If we had data on all 351 Massachusetts municipalities, the exact impact of the simulated override might vary, but the overall results would be similar. By not passing the override, homeowners in Hull would save on their property taxes over the next five years. But for every tax dollar they save, Hull homeowners would likely forfeit close to four dollars in home value when they sell their homes.

Before pulling the lever in the voting booth, residents across Massachusetts considering a Prop 2 override to help fund local schools might be wise to consider whether a no vote is being penny-wise but pound-foolish.'

Read the full article here
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/06/24/do_the_math_on_overrides/

And the School Committee blog post (which pointed me to this) here
http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/do-the-math-on-overrides/




Franklin, MA

Reminder: The question is open until midnight on June 25th

Based upon the discussion around the article in the Milford Daily News on Tuesday 6/15/10, a new poll question has been added to the center column of Franklin Matters.

The question asks if the override question had been phrased differently would the results have been different. In particular the question is:

If the override was split into 2 separate questions, would you have approved the school override? Q1 - $2.1 million for schools   Q2 - $900K for roads/the town

Yes

No

The article and full comment stream can be found here:http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x1602636112/Franklin-proceeds-with-layoffs



 Franklin, MA

Mendon to re-do the vote on override

A two-member Board of Selectmen agreed last night to hold a special Town Meeting July 12 and a special election July 27 to vote again on the town's Proposition 2 1/2 tax override, but at a lower number.

The original override sought $594,000 with $100,000 targeted for town services. The new override eliminates the town portion.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x2071993894/Mendon-to-vote-again-on-override



Franklin, MA

What if?

Update: Google is having a problem with the poll question, when it gets resolved, the question will return.


Based upon the discussion around the article in the Milford Daily News on Tuesday, a new poll question has been added to the center column.

The question asks if the override question had been phrased differently would the results have been different. In particular the question is:

If the override was split into 2 separate questions, would you have approved the school override? Q1 - $2.1 million for schools   Q2 - $900K for roads/the town

Yes

No

The article and full comment stream can be found here:

http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x1602636112/Franklin-proceeds-with-layoffs

Franklin, MA

people buy why you do it

Simon Sinek has an answer by asking the question, Why? Maybe the golden circle can help explain how some overrides pass and some fail.



What do you think about this?


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video

Franklin, MA

Letter from Scott Mason

Dear Franklin Citizens,

As I write this, I am trying to clear my head after a very long day at the polls yesterday.

Nearly 40-percent of our registered voters exercised their constitutional right to vote in a special election that asked voters to approve a $3 million tax override. The question failed.

Several members of the Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee, as well as many private citizens, worked very hard over the past month in an attempt to present the facts behind the need for this extra money. We held a public forum, spoke to PCC’s and met with folks in their homes. Many of us used vacation time from work, sacrificed time with families, and postponed personal plans to provide this service. We did this willingly and with enthusiasm for a cause we truly believe in – the Town of Franklin.

Along the way, we met people who welcomed us into their homes, invited their friends to hear us, and were genuinely concerned with the troubles our community faces.

We also met and heard from citizens who don’t believe in what we are doing. We were told that Franklin overspends, that Franklin must live within it’s means; that because private businesses are not providing raises to it’s workers, Franklin too, must continue to cut personnel and services. In some cases, we as the town government were blamed for problems at the state and federal level. Some of these citizens engaged us in polite, civil conversation, and some, unfortunately, made their feelings known in less mature ways.

Franklin has always benefited from a below-average tax rate and above-average services. Our employees work very hard with very limited resources. It is my deepest hope that despite these next round of cuts, they can somehow continue to do so. We enjoy great “bang for the buck” in this town. Unfortunately, seeing the cuts that have been made over the years, the effects on our schools and municipal infrastructure, I know that we are in for a very rocky road.

I want to thank the folks that gave so much of their time to fight for this cause, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote, either for or against the override. Let’s never forget the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedom. Democracy works.

Perhaps the best aspect of Proposition 2 1/2, is that it gives citizens the opportunity to determine the destiny of their community. This was played out in Franklin yesterday, and was and will be played out in many cities and towns in Massachusetts this spring. We as a Town Council will work with what we have as we have always done, and I as the Council Chairman will continue to do my best to represent the best interests of all our citizens.

Sincerely,

Scott Mason
Town Council Chairman



Franklin, MA

In the Globe - election results

"Our option is to carry out the mandate of the voters, which was to preserve the lowest possible tax rate and accept eroding services," said Stephen Whalen, vice chairman of Franklin's Town Council, of the 4143 to 3820 vote defeating the tax hike. About 40 percent of local voters turned out to cast ballots, he said.

Whalen said, among other cuts, his town would likely slash teaching jobs, be reduced to a single ambulance crew, and be forced to raise high school athletic fees "significantly," a move that worried him.

" I think the mark of a great community is that every kid has access to top-notch public education, and raising fees like that turns us into a town of haves and have-nots," he said.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/budgetblues/2010/06/concord_upton_voters_approve_o.html

Franklin, MA

In the News - election results

"I'm surprised it didn't pass, and I'm surprised the turnout wasn't higher," Feeley said. "... There is no waste, and cuts will be made."

He said claims that children of override opponents were mistreated at school are false and insulting to teachers.

"If it (were true), someone needs to step forward," Feeley said.

Read the full article here:

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1932553637/Franklin-voters-say-no-to-override



Franklin, MA

More 'Yes' than 2008, but not enough

In comparison to the 2008 failed override, there was a gain in Yes votes and less No votes as the margin narrowed.

In 2008, the override failed by a vote of 4290 to 3382.
In 2010, the override failed by a vote of 4143 to 3820.

Precinct	Yes Chg	No Chg
1	103	-26
2	22	-27
3	74	-22
4	42	-23
5	58	-7
6	52	-33
7	60	-29
8	7	20
	418	-147

A comparison of the 2010 to 2007 and 2010 to 2008 is shown below:

Franklin, MA