Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Monday, January 14, 2008
Mr Sullivan - Part 5 (audio)
Time: 7 minutes, 37 seconds
MP3 File
in the news - State report on schools, drive through at 4 Corners
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
FRANKLIN - In the midst of scrutiny from a budget inquiry, the School Committee received an unrelated state report this week describing the town's school system as "very high performing" and well-managed.
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Franklin re-considers drive-through ban on Four Corners School
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
Unable to secure any bids to turn the abandoned Four Corners School into a retail site, the town is reconsidering its ban on a drive-through window for the property.
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One sure thing: uneven tax burden
By Ralph Ranalli, Globe Staff
It's rare to feel like joking about taxes, so Marlborough resident Tom Lane couldn't resist the temptation after calculating that his new property-tax bill will be a mere $31 more than he paid last year.
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Compare your town's property taxes
Property taxes skyrocketed over the last decade in Massachusetts. The Globe's Matt Carroll created this chart to compare town by town increases. In the suburbs west of Boston, you can see that property tax increases this year vary widely, according...
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Getting a break on property taxes....
When municipal officials are looking for tax money, or weighing a Prop 2 1/2 override, talk often turns to the tax exempt property in their town: colleges, social services agencies.. even golf courses. Sometimes these places pay what are known...
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Saturday, January 12, 2008
Gov Patrick, Salem, and Franklin's situation
Governor Patrick, cutbacks and the saga in Salem
As the city of Salem roils over layout notices, and other towns struggle with tight budgets, Gov. Deval Patrick told municipal leaders Friday that he feels their pain. Patrick said he understands that they are experiencing tight fiscal times. |
Click through to read the details in this Override Central story in the Boston Globe.
Franklin is not that far away from Salem in this case. Financial mismanagement created their shortfall. The Forensic Report was presented Wednesday night to the joint Town Council and School Committee, as I re-read the report and listen to the presentation again, I am not convinced that we are out of the woods on this episode.
"The deficits in 2006 and 2007 raise concerns over the School Department's level of spending in fiscal 2008. There will be more Circuit Breaker available in 2008 than in 2007, as there is no carry over deficit to be applied to the 2008 expected receipts. However, there was a deficit in Special Education Tuitions even with the full Circuit Breaker receipts for both fiscal 2006 and 2007.From the Forensic Report, page 10. Bold for my emphasis.
In addition, certain other accounts have been in deficit during both fiscal 2006 and 2007. We have prepared the three-year budget analysis, and provided a copy to the interim Director of Financial Operations. That analysis will assist in identification of potential budget shortfalls. However, the schedule is prepared based upon the inclusion of negative revenue items, which needs to be taken into consideration in evaluating the 2008 budget."
Mr Sullivan - Part 4 (audio)
Attrition impact - $200,000
Medicaid double posting - $300,000
Athletics revenue deficit - $150,000
Insurance deficit - $195,000
Tuition deficit - $671,898
Total - $1,516,898
Appropriation surplus - ($662,296)
Final deficit - $854,602
This section includes questions and comments with Bartlett, Feeley, Nutting, and Susan Gagner - Town Comptroller.
Time: 6 minutes, 15 seconds
MP3 File
Mr Sullivan - Part 3 (audio)
This portion includes Q&A with Councilors Whalen, Feeley, McGann, Pfeffer, Doak, and School Committee Chairperson Jeff Roy.
Time: 9 minutes, 36 seconds
MP3 File
Friday, January 11, 2008
Joint Town Council/School Committee Meeting Summary - 1/9/08
Mr John J Sullivan, CPA explains the findings - part 1 (audio) (initial deficit and circuit breaker accounting)
Mr John J Sullivan, CPA explains the findings - part 2 (audio) (using negative line items)
First set of questions for Mr Sullivan (audio)
Mr John J Sullivan, CPA explains the findings - part 3 (audio) (accounting for attrition)
Mr John J Sullivan, CPA explains the findings - part 4 (audio) (Medicaid reimbursement)
Mr John J Sullivan, CPA explains the findings - part 5 (audio) (covering the deficit)
Mr John J Sullivan, CPA explains the findings - part 6 (audio) (more questions on the deficit)
Mr John J Sullivan, CPA explains the findings - part 7 (audio) (last questions on deficit, Falvey tries to speak for the first time)
Mr John J Sullivan gets to the recommendation section of the report, first: hire the right skill set (audio)
Mr John J Sullivan gets to the recommendation section of the report, second: School Committee approves budget transfers (audio)
Mr John J Sullivan gets to the recommendation section of the report, third: Concerns over 2008 budget (audio)
Mr John J Sullivan gets to the recommendation section of the report, final: multiple items (audio)
After the recommendations there is a series of Q&A sessions
Q&A 1 - Whalen, Pfeffer (audio)
Q&A 2 - Zollo (audio)
Q&A 3 - Jeff Roy (audio)
Q&A 4 - McGann (audio)
Q&A 5 - Doak (audio)
Q&A 6 - Cafasso (audio)
Q&A 7 - Bartlett (audio)
Q&A 8 - Gagner, Feeley (audio)
Q&A 9 - Frank Falvey (audio)
meeting took a break for 2 minutes, the School Committee left, the meeting resumed with the normal Town Council agenda
Tax & Title properties (audio)
Four Corners RFP (audio)
Three items: Exemption for police to be FHS coaches, snow budget almost expended, Fire station will be ready early but doesn't have budget to do so (audio)
Old & New Business (audio)
Councilor closing comments (audio)
The full audit report is available on the Franklin Schools page (left menu item) or via this link (PDF). Note, the PDF file is quite large, it may be slow opening depending upon your connection.
This completes the recordings for the meeting 1/9/2008
In the News - Molasses, twin violins, financial fiasco
By Michael Morton/Staff writer
At first, library staff worried that an initiative to get all residents to read the same book on a sugarcane product would prove slower than molasses. |
Music in double time
By Heather McCarron/Staff writer
Sasha and Sally Gorski share a lot in common, not the least of which is a passion for music. And every day, they get double the pleasure out of pursuing it. |
Franklin financial fiasco prompts more criticism
By By Michael Morton, DAILY NEWS STAFF
FRANKLIN - With the inquiry into a $580,000 budget gap over, school officials say they are moving forward by instituting new oversight controls and seeking a finance director to replace the recently fired Delores McCoy. |
Thursday, January 10, 2008
First Set of Questions (audio)
Time: 8 minutes, 33 seconds
MP3 File
Mr Sullivan: Explains the problem - Part 2 (audio)
Time: 8 minutes, 25 seconds
MP3 File
Mr Sullivan Explains the problem: Part 1 (audio)
Time: 10 minutes, 39 seconds
MP3 File
Opening Remarks by Attorney (audio)
Time: 3 minutes, 34 seconds
MP3 File
Updated 1/19/08 with attorney's name obtained from the full copy of the Forensic Report
Details on the Forensic Report
The school finance director, recently fired for improper budgeting, did not hold the state certification required for her job, a town councilor indicated last night while discussing the results of an inquiry.
Referring to former Finance Director Delores McCoy, Councilor Joseph McGann asked whether the town had erred by not employing someone in the post with Department of Education certification.
He was told by auditor John Sullivan of Melanson Heath & Co. that the qualification is required unless the state grants a waiver. The DOE does not appear to have done so in this case.
Read more in Michael Morton's write up in the Milford Daily News
School Finance Director let go, basketball hoop falls
School finance director fired after budget mishap
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
Finance Director Delores McCoy has been fired as a result of an investigation into school finances, according to a letter released ahead of tonight's Town Council meeting. |
Basketball goal crashes down
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
FRANKLIN - A recently repaired basketball goal at the high school unexpectedly swung down from its raised position near the field house's ceiling yesterday, crashing into the bleachers before a game but missing spectators. |
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Joint Town Council - School Commitee
All hands (well almost) were on deck for the joint Town Council and School Committee meeting to hear the Forensic Investigation Report.
This is one picture of the group.
There is a second picture available.
The report audio will be available here this week.
The report will also be available on the town web site soon.