This is the first of two sessions to review and determine the Capital Budget. The Finance Committee will vote to recommend all, part or some modification thereof at the meeting Tuesday, Jan 15 for the Town Council to then decide on.
The packet of documents is a large one, 166 pages in PDF format. The link is provided here.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xu_1JUPgKXNH8i9DhDZH7ZkfFk6tyFQp/view?usp=sharing
You can also find the tweets by searching for the hashtag #fincom0108
https://twitter.com/search?src=typd&q=%23fincom0108 (Note: the search results don't provide the tweets in chronological order. I did that.)
Live reporting: Finance committee gets underway at Senior Center. #FINCOM0108 . Yes, I could have been at the School committee meeting but respectfully I want to "follow the money"
Live reporting: Finance committee gets underway at Senior Center. #FINCOM0108 . Yes, I could have been at the School committee meeting but respectfully I want to "follow the money"— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
#fincom0108 2 new deputy chiefs in attendance tonight for the fire dept as part of their learning process
#fincom0108 2 new deputy chiefs in attendance tonight for the fire dept as part of their learning process— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Overview of the free cash amount, almost the largest ever. Don't count on it repeating. Some amounts are set aside for snow/ice, etc we have $2+M left to work with for capital budget. Exact amounts to be provided later #fincom0108
Overview of the free cash amount, almost the largest ever. Don't count on it repeating. Some amounts are set aside for snow/ice, etc we have $2+M left to work with for capital budget. Exact amounts to be provided later #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Fincom scene at the Senior center for tonight's meeting #fincom0108
Fincom scene at the Senior center for tonight's meeting #fincom0108 pic.twitter.com/AfFvXWH64N— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Chief McCarragher bemoans fire dept planning coming in with smallest request in a year with the most free cash available #fincom0108 advocates for video technology to help the medics in servicing a patient, four total, one per vehicle
Chief McCarragher bemoans fire dept planning coming in with smallest request in a year with the most free cash available #fincom0108 advocates for video technology to help the medics in servicing a patient, four total, one per vehicle— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Uniform request also due to instances where servicing special situations and cleaning them before going to next call and possibly carrying the potential contamination with them. Regulation by OSHA coming for 1st time in MA #fincom0108
Uniform request also due to instances where servicing special situations and cleaning them before going to next call and possibly carrying the potential contamination with them. Regulation by OSHA coming for 1st time in MA #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
A combi tool, it cuts and spreads. Haven't been asking for similar as much of the equipment has come in with the new vehicle rotation. We need this before the next vehicle comes in 2023. #fincom0108
A combi tool, it cuts and spreads. Haven't been asking for similar as much of the equipment has come in with the new vehicle rotation. We need this before the next vehicle comes in 2023. #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Examination of how to best resolve the radio 'dead spot' out along Lincoln and Populatic Sts. Didnt matter too much to us with few calls, call volume there is increasing, hence the risk #fincom0108
Examination of how to best resolve the radio 'dead spot' out along Lincoln and Populatic Sts. Didnt matter too much to us with few calls, call volume there is increasing, hence the risk #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Fire fighters health needs to be addressed, they statistically get some cancers at significantly higher % than normal folks, some fire retardant materials contain cancer causing agents #fincom0108
Fire fighters health needs to be addressed, they statistically get some cancers at significantly higher % than normal folks, some fire retardant materials contain cancer causing agents #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Chief Lynch up next to explain his capital request, 3 cars and 1 motorcycle requested this year. Kevlar has 5 yr warranty so some of these are scheduled for replacement on 5 year plan, replacing some at a time #fincom0108
Chief Lynch up next to explain his capital request, 3 cars and 1 motorcycle requested this year. Kevlar has 5 yr warranty so some of these are scheduled for replacement on 5 year plan, replacing some at a time #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Radios to be purchased over 3 yr period replacing 1/3 at a time. Some of the older units would be redeploy ed to the schools for use in emergency situations. Radar sign boards wearing and heavily used, one to be purchased. #fincom0108
Radios to be purchased over 3 yr period replacing 1/3 at a time. Some of the older units would be redeploy ed to the schools for use in emergency situations. Radar sign boards wearing and heavily used, one to be purchased. #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
$50k for Town common, authorized several years ago, banners, etc would be taken from this fund. Street acceptances take time and money doing the research required to resolve street ownership issues #fincom0108
$50k for Town common, authorized several years ago, banners, etc would be taken from this fund. Street acceptances take time and money doing the research required to resolve street ownership issues #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Storm water management study at $85k needs to be ready when the regs are finally coming due. Franklin has been proactive in storm water management but the liability is likely over $60M. The study would develop some options on how to plan and pay for it #fincom0108
Storm water management study at $85k needs to be ready when the regs are finally coming due. Franklin has been proactive in storm water management but the liability is likely over $60M. The study would develop some options on how to plan and pay for it #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Equipment replacement needs, utility truck, etc. Mini escavator cost effective. #fincom0108 street sweeper life cycle? Not just years, but it is all about use. When it picks up the street sand it is corrosive and that eats the truck
Equipment replacement needs, utility truck, etc. Mini escavator cost effective. #fincom0108 street sweeper life cycle? Not just years, but it is all about use. When it picks up the street sand it is corrosive and that eats the truck— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Water enterprise fund, cash flow comes from rate payers. Policy of leaving $1M in fund for contingency. 90% of the meters have been replaced, will keep the balance will be replaced by in house staff rather than contractor. #fincom0108
Water enterprise fund, cash flow comes from rate payers. Policy of leaving $1M in fund for contingency. 90% of the meters have been replaced, will keep the balance will be replaced by in house staff rather than contractor. #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Backhoe needs to be replaced, originally from 1989. Mini escavator not good for water line work, reach is too short, wouldn't hold walls enough. #fincom0108 5 year plan of water line replacement and road rebuilds, pavement management plan part of process.
Backhoe needs to be replaced, originally from 1989. Mini escavator not good for water line work, reach is too short, wouldn't hold walls enough. #fincom0108 5 year plan of water line replacement and road rebuilds, pavement management plan part of process.— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Vacuum truck up for replacement. Used to clean sewer lines, essential to every day operations. Recently was out of service and needed to call in a contractor with a vehicle #fincom0108
Vacuum truck up for replacement. Used to clean sewer lines, essential to every day operations. Recently was out of service and needed to call in a contractor with a vehicle #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Town has more pump stations than most communities as when the growth occurred there was no master plan, some of the existing stations could have been avoided. #fincom0108 pump station design needs to include optimal pumping rather than leaking
Town has more pump stations than most communities as when the growth occurred there was no master plan, some of the existing stations could have been avoided. #fincom0108 pump station design needs to include optimal pumping rather than leaking— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Already costed to save interest of approx $4M over 20 term due to low interest rate low secured. Only other major items seen is the Beaver St connector. Over 108 yrs old, carries 90% over our flow to the plant, don't want to calculate what it would cost to replace #fincom0108
Water presentation includes the map displayed by Jeff Nutting with commentary by Brutus CantoreggiAlready costed to save interest of approx $4M over 20 term due to low interest rate low secured. Only other major items seen is the Beaver St connector. Over 108 yrs old, carries 90% over our flow to the plant, don't want to calculate what it would cost to replace #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Water presentation includes the map displayed by Jeff Nutting with commentary by Brutus Cantoreggi #fincom0108 pic.twitter.com/QqXrXc7iA1— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
former Thompson Press site a good example of public private cooperation on the storm water solution, developer wrote $700k check for town, grant from state to help run off from Dean Ave through the property #fincom0108
former Thompson Press site a good example of public private cooperation on the storm water solution, developer wrote $700k check for town, grant from state to help run off from Dean Ave through the property #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Health care 2nd largest piece of the town budget after schools, 8 to 10 % of 116M #fincom0108
Health care 2nd largest piece of the town budget after schools, 8 to 10 % of 116M #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
OPEB estimated at $74M liability, detailed report going to Town Council Weds evening (in meeting agenda packet) #fincom0108 the system needs to be changed, it can't stay this way.
OPEB estimated at $74M liability, detailed report going to Town Council Weds evening (in meeting agenda packet) #fincom0108 the system needs to be changed, it can't stay this way.— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Overview of risk assessment presented to Town Council in December, in good shape, mostly documentation needed to be written, another update due to Council in a couple of months #fincom0108
Overview of risk assessment presented to Town Council in December, in good shape, mostly documentation needed to be written, another update due to Council in a couple of months #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Overview of fiscal policies, potential suggested changes some are technical changes, some additional discussion points for example, open space fund can't provide enough to buy land, let's grow the amount to give us more to use #fincom0108
Overview of fiscal policies, potential suggested changes some are technical changes, some additional discussion points for example, open space fund can't provide enough to buy land, let's grow the amount to give us more to use #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
Consideration for implementation of excise tax on Marijuana. Council has authorized up to 3% #fincom0108 roads and infrastructure additional funds needed for maintenance of the 200 plus miles of roads, sidewalks and parking lots
Consideration for implementation of excise tax on Marijuana. Council has authorized up to 3% #fincom0108 roads and infrastructure additional funds needed for maintenance of the 200 plus miles of roads, sidewalks and parking lots— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
These are policy not bylaws we can use them as necessary. Bottom line citizens will decide the level of government they want. #fincom0108
These are policy not bylaws we can use them as necessary. Bottom line citizens will decide the level of government they want. #fincom0108— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 9, 2019
 |
| The Finance Committee |
 |
| The presenter table with Chief McCarragher ready to go |
 |
| Jeff Nutting holds the map while Brutus Cantoreggi makes his points |
