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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
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Friday, March 21, 2014
MassBudget: Rewarding Work: The Minimum Wage and Tax Credits
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Live reporting - Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #3
Present: Dowd, Smith, Conley, Fleming, Heumphner, Dewsnap
Absent: Dufour, Aparo, Quinn
Nutting, Gagner, Dacey
Minutes from meeting of Mar 13th to approve
motion to approve, second, passed 6-0
Library - Felicia Oti
About $300K below the state requirements
attempting to show good faith effort to get a waiver and continue to operate
$950K would be the standard and we can't afford it
a couple of personnel changes, two part-timers add 5 hours
proposing to open Sunday, looking to use the book sale revenues to support Sunday
increased expense budget to get closer to the standard
Q - how are the Sunday hours
A - the people are coming every month, it is increasing. I don't want to be too optimistic but it is looking good
Nutting - there used to be two large sales by the Friends of the Library; to avoid that effort, and sell every day, the library is doing this; getting more and more interest; you don't get the same selection as you might have but you can go more frequently
Oti - We are thankful for the additional staffing, we are looking to being more youth in and then they are more likely to check out a book while there
everyone wanted to have us open on Sunday, Sunday's will be beneficial for families, students...
the community donates the books, comes to buy the books, and then we can give back by opening the hours
Q - what is the trend on circulation?
A - ereaders down due to licensing issues, we are working through all the issues, folks want the current books and publishers are not wanting to deal with this.
Police - Chief Semerjian, Kevin Ryan
only change in the budget is for the request of an additional officer
part of the demand is that the current workforce has been here sometime, at any point in time we can have three folks out due to vacation, so this would help us cover
we added one a year ago and we would like to add another now
we have some folks out on injury and that is a taken slot that we can't replace yet
Q - add folks with experience?
A - we look to add the best candidates, we try to keep a balance of the ages
we ran a test where 165 folks passed to file the wait list
we can take a transfer it is quick and easy, or if we get a new hire, they go off to the academy for training before coming back for local training
we did the test, now need to finalize the actual process
in the old days, it was everything about the test, now we need to figure it out
we are a few months away from doing it for the first time
we can keep the list as long or as short as we want
for transfers we can take an officer from any other dept
we have more options on transfers now
Q - question on 11 in B-7
A - actually the number of holidays, not the number of people
Q - B-8 is that software?
A - That is what runs all our operations, it is an annual cost for support
Facilities - Mike D'Angelo
844 under general government
maintenance of all town and school properties aside from the pump stations that DPW manages
requesting an additional custodians for the new high school
had cut 8 custodians in 2007, with the new school and new facility more glass, etc.
the need for help is driving the request
cleaning about 43,000 sq ft per night with the new person
estimate of the electric cost for the new building
hundreds of cameras, the TV studio, estimate from the architect
consumption of gas will be less compared to the current building, still an estimate
looking at July 24/25 for the school to be turned over to the Town
other change is the collective bargaining for salary increases
1.2 million sq ft of building space
Q - $100K less in natural gas
A - we are doing better, we are trending down, with energy upgrades, those are paying off
took out some modulars so that helped
electrical will go up and gas down but overall, it is likely to be about the same for the new building as the old
phone costs are going down, our minute rate is going down
we are trying to do a lot of things, gives folks raises and does more but up only 6,000 year to year after adding a person
finished out the LED lighting on the elementary schools
3 year payback on electrical and then the service costs will go down with LED as well
Q - do you have training to do for the new equipment in the high school
A - starting about in Apr we'll be getting training on all the systems before we take over. Typically there is constant training for my staff, school staff and kitchen staff, etc. extensive training for every system. they are warrantied for a full year
Nutting - lt looks like we will be opening at or over capacity, we usually lose some students to other high schools
Fire Dept - Chief McCarragher, Paul Sharpe
Fire budget is as is, no salary increases due to no collective bargaining agreement
four firefighters being paid for by a Federal grant that expires in Oct 2015
currently the grant pays for all salary and benefits
Dispatch union is under contract
biggest jump is in training, the State got out of training and now need to register with the national service. All the medics need to certify
ambulance billing was farmed out last year, this year it is in the budget
fire service is really a team sport, now that we are the staffing level, we can do some long term planning
a couple of success stories
in capital budget added automated lift systems
last year 12 injuries, this year only 2
capacity to retire all the command staff in the next seven years, working on succession planning
bringing others in to do training to help with the succession training
we are not the only department facing this
Q - training? yearly
A - 20 hours, a one time training program
Q - response time efforts? if you lost the four people, how would it effect the performance
A - we would not be able to sustain the performance; medical on scene; 9 mins to 18 doesn't seem long but if you are not breathing for that time, it is huge
could see some savings from the regional dispatch, could also see some savings from bundling on the ambulance contract billing
less injuries, less overtime, beyond response time there are other issues with staffing
forced overtime 58% less this year than last year
60-70% of the calls are medical emergencies
remainder is for fires, emergencies and other calls of the 'last resort'
other public service we will provide
quarterly report for grant, 16 fires, half out of town support and half in town
still a substantial work load, looking to do a more robust risk reduction program
looking to put out a program to avoid falls, if we reduce 25% of those calls, that is a savings and can help build capacity
assisted living facilities are a call per unit per year, if we take some calls away,that helps
Q -how many times do we call out of town ambulances?
A - about 100 times a year, we look at that closely
there is a business side to that, if we can staff that, there is some income potential as well
we used to be 8 to 8 busy, most of the calls went to the industrial parks, during the down turn the residential area increase, when the economy comes back, the industrial area may increase, if the residential doesn't go away, then we have an increase
About 100 time out of time, so it balances out
Regional dispatch
this has been on going for the last three years funded by the State
Legislature passed the bill to allow us to go regional, this is truly the best regional operation
telephone tree in a time compressed environment
with regional, it will save time and be more efficient
some incidental costs like a start up business
there is a cost per call and we will be about half of the total volume
Q - it is not just shifting money, it will save money?
A - yes
Q - if the infrastructure is in place will there be expansion capability?
A - Yes, we may be able to expand. There are options with additional partners, there are two other who do want to come in. Once you see success, you'll see people moving towards this
Q -
A - peak period is likely to be 5-7 at anytime during the day
discipline based call handling, trained with the system and the nature of the call, they take the info and go right to dispatch
Q -
A - land line phones are easy but cell phones are problematic, newer cell phones are getting better. The state Police actually handles the cell phone 911 call. There is a technology solution and a people solution
old business
new business
next meeting, Wed Mar 26th
more admin dept, school dept
potentially voting next week on the final depending upon what time it is
motion to adjourn
Absent: Dufour, Aparo, Quinn
Nutting, Gagner, Dacey
Minutes from meeting of Mar 13th to approve
motion to approve, second, passed 6-0
Library - Felicia Oti
About $300K below the state requirements
attempting to show good faith effort to get a waiver and continue to operate
$950K would be the standard and we can't afford it
a couple of personnel changes, two part-timers add 5 hours
proposing to open Sunday, looking to use the book sale revenues to support Sunday
increased expense budget to get closer to the standard
Q - how are the Sunday hours
A - the people are coming every month, it is increasing. I don't want to be too optimistic but it is looking good
Nutting - there used to be two large sales by the Friends of the Library; to avoid that effort, and sell every day, the library is doing this; getting more and more interest; you don't get the same selection as you might have but you can go more frequently
Oti - We are thankful for the additional staffing, we are looking to being more youth in and then they are more likely to check out a book while there
everyone wanted to have us open on Sunday, Sunday's will be beneficial for families, students...
the community donates the books, comes to buy the books, and then we can give back by opening the hours
Q - what is the trend on circulation?
A - ereaders down due to licensing issues, we are working through all the issues, folks want the current books and publishers are not wanting to deal with this.
Police - Chief Semerjian, Kevin Ryan
only change in the budget is for the request of an additional officer
part of the demand is that the current workforce has been here sometime, at any point in time we can have three folks out due to vacation, so this would help us cover
we added one a year ago and we would like to add another now
we have some folks out on injury and that is a taken slot that we can't replace yet
Q - add folks with experience?
A - we look to add the best candidates, we try to keep a balance of the ages
we ran a test where 165 folks passed to file the wait list
we can take a transfer it is quick and easy, or if we get a new hire, they go off to the academy for training before coming back for local training
we did the test, now need to finalize the actual process
in the old days, it was everything about the test, now we need to figure it out
we are a few months away from doing it for the first time
we can keep the list as long or as short as we want
for transfers we can take an officer from any other dept
we have more options on transfers now
Q - question on 11 in B-7
A - actually the number of holidays, not the number of people
Q - B-8 is that software?
A - That is what runs all our operations, it is an annual cost for support
Facilities - Mike D'Angelo
844 under general government
maintenance of all town and school properties aside from the pump stations that DPW manages
requesting an additional custodians for the new high school
had cut 8 custodians in 2007, with the new school and new facility more glass, etc.
the need for help is driving the request
cleaning about 43,000 sq ft per night with the new person
estimate of the electric cost for the new building
hundreds of cameras, the TV studio, estimate from the architect
consumption of gas will be less compared to the current building, still an estimate
looking at July 24/25 for the school to be turned over to the Town
other change is the collective bargaining for salary increases
1.2 million sq ft of building space
Q - $100K less in natural gas
A - we are doing better, we are trending down, with energy upgrades, those are paying off
took out some modulars so that helped
electrical will go up and gas down but overall, it is likely to be about the same for the new building as the old
phone costs are going down, our minute rate is going down
we are trying to do a lot of things, gives folks raises and does more but up only 6,000 year to year after adding a person
finished out the LED lighting on the elementary schools
3 year payback on electrical and then the service costs will go down with LED as well
Q - do you have training to do for the new equipment in the high school
A - starting about in Apr we'll be getting training on all the systems before we take over. Typically there is constant training for my staff, school staff and kitchen staff, etc. extensive training for every system. they are warrantied for a full year
Nutting - lt looks like we will be opening at or over capacity, we usually lose some students to other high schools
Fire Dept - Chief McCarragher, Paul Sharpe
Fire budget is as is, no salary increases due to no collective bargaining agreement
four firefighters being paid for by a Federal grant that expires in Oct 2015
currently the grant pays for all salary and benefits
Dispatch union is under contract
biggest jump is in training, the State got out of training and now need to register with the national service. All the medics need to certify
ambulance billing was farmed out last year, this year it is in the budget
fire service is really a team sport, now that we are the staffing level, we can do some long term planning
a couple of success stories
in capital budget added automated lift systems
last year 12 injuries, this year only 2
capacity to retire all the command staff in the next seven years, working on succession planning
bringing others in to do training to help with the succession training
we are not the only department facing this
Q - training? yearly
A - 20 hours, a one time training program
Q - response time efforts? if you lost the four people, how would it effect the performance
A - we would not be able to sustain the performance; medical on scene; 9 mins to 18 doesn't seem long but if you are not breathing for that time, it is huge
could see some savings from the regional dispatch, could also see some savings from bundling on the ambulance contract billing
less injuries, less overtime, beyond response time there are other issues with staffing
forced overtime 58% less this year than last year
60-70% of the calls are medical emergencies
remainder is for fires, emergencies and other calls of the 'last resort'
other public service we will provide
quarterly report for grant, 16 fires, half out of town support and half in town
still a substantial work load, looking to do a more robust risk reduction program
looking to put out a program to avoid falls, if we reduce 25% of those calls, that is a savings and can help build capacity
assisted living facilities are a call per unit per year, if we take some calls away,that helps
Q -how many times do we call out of town ambulances?
A - about 100 times a year, we look at that closely
there is a business side to that, if we can staff that, there is some income potential as well
we used to be 8 to 8 busy, most of the calls went to the industrial parks, during the down turn the residential area increase, when the economy comes back, the industrial area may increase, if the residential doesn't go away, then we have an increase
About 100 time out of time, so it balances out
Regional dispatch
this has been on going for the last three years funded by the State
Legislature passed the bill to allow us to go regional, this is truly the best regional operation
telephone tree in a time compressed environment
with regional, it will save time and be more efficient
some incidental costs like a start up business
there is a cost per call and we will be about half of the total volume
Q - it is not just shifting money, it will save money?
A - yes
Q - if the infrastructure is in place will there be expansion capability?
A - Yes, we may be able to expand. There are options with additional partners, there are two other who do want to come in. Once you see success, you'll see people moving towards this
Q -
A - peak period is likely to be 5-7 at anytime during the day
discipline based call handling, trained with the system and the nature of the call, they take the info and go right to dispatch
Q -
A - land line phones are easy but cell phones are problematic, newer cell phones are getting better. The state Police actually handles the cell phone 911 call. There is a technology solution and a people solution
old business
new business
next meeting, Wed Mar 26th
more admin dept, school dept
potentially voting next week on the final depending upon what time it is
motion to adjourn
Franklin Voices: Open Letter to the Franklin Town Council
This came in from a couple of sources. A few of the Town Council in their closing comments referenced this having heard it was already making the rounds. Their comments indicated no set plan (contrary to the statements within the letter). Their comments also referenced their prior 5-4 vote as proof that the Council is not likely all on board (contrary to the implications of the letter). The Councilors also stressed that if any resident wanted to get the details to reach out to them. Their contact information (email and phone numbers) are posted on the Franklin webpage. They would be happy to discuss to clarify any possible misunderstandings.
Open Letter to the Franklin Town Council regarding 150 Emmons Street property (Old Municipal Building)
You can add your name to the petition by opening this link
If the link above is having some trouble try this one
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/open-letter-to-the-franklin-town-council-regarding
The building was originally a school (right side of building as pictured) and then renovated in the 1990's to add the left portion and become the Franklin Municipal Building. It served in that capacity until the move to the building at 355 East Central St. Currently the building is used by the Recreation Dept.
My notes from the public meeting earlier this month can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-emmons-st-public-meeting.html
The next formal discussion on the future of the building is currently scheduled for the Apr 2 Town Council meeting. http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01CE66C3-000F8513
Open Letter to the Franklin Town Council regarding 150 Emmons Street property (Old Municipal Building)
On behalf of Franklin, Massachusetts property owners, business owners, customers and citizens of Franklin we urge the Town Council to put on hold any decision to sell the Emmons Street property, including an RFP, for one year.
* Please Note - Franklin, MA residents, property owners, or business owners are eligible to sign this open letter. Resident address information will not be displayed on site, and will only be used when verifying and delivering signatures to Town Council on April 2nd, 2014. Please indicate your business address if you are a business owner and note in the comment field.
1. We believe it is critical to understand the impact of the new traffic pattern prior to the Council deciding what type of development it would like to see on the site.
2. This would provide the business community and customers with alternative parking during the streetscape project construction. We cannot afford to lose any business during the construction process due to the lack of parking or access to properties.
3. If the Council decides to sell the property after the streetscape is completed it will potentially command a higher value at that time.
4. The property has been in the town’s control for over a century. Another year will not make a difference to the financial condition of the town, but a hasty decision will affect the town for years to come. We ask that you give the community time to participate in the decision-making process.
You can add your name to the petition by opening this link
If the link above is having some trouble try this one
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/open-letter-to-the-franklin-town-council-regarding
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| 150 Emmons St - the subject of the discussion |
The building was originally a school (right side of building as pictured) and then renovated in the 1990's to add the left portion and become the Franklin Municipal Building. It served in that capacity until the move to the building at 355 East Central St. Currently the building is used by the Recreation Dept.
My notes from the public meeting earlier this month can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-emmons-st-public-meeting.html
The next formal discussion on the future of the building is currently scheduled for the Apr 2 Town Council meeting. http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01CE66C3-000F8513
Cultural District Committee - March 20th
Pursuant to expressed interest from the community, the Town of Franklin is currently working towards the creation of a state designated Cultural District.
As is required, the Town is looking to form a Cultural District Committee to partner with interested organizations and institutions in order to identity all cultural facilities and activities as well as to shape concrete goals and objectives for the proposed Cultural District.
The Committee should consist of cultural organizations, specifically those that represent artists in the community, as well as historical and community organizations. Non-profits, private businesses, government agencies, educational and faith based institutions are all encouraged to participate in the partnership.
Anyone interested in participating, or in need of additional information should contact the Town’s Department of Planning and Community Development.The organizational/informational meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Mar 20th at the Library beginning at 7:00 PM
Additional information can be found in this flyer:
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| National Register Historic District marker on the Franklin Town Common |
FSPA dancer advance to Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) International ballet competition
Three advanced Ballet Conservatory students from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) placed at the top of their age divisions in the Classical Dance category of the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) New England regional semi-finals, held February 7-9 in Providence, RI. The prestigious YAGP, for aspiring dancers ages 9-19, is the world’s largest international student ballet competition, with semi-finals in 10 U.S. states and five foreign countries. Shaina McGillis, 15, of Franklin, placed among the top 24 women in the Senior Age Division (ages 15-19), Noura Sander, 13, of Easton, placed among the top 12 women in the Junior Age Division (ages 12-14), and Mikaela Guidice, 11, of Norfolk, placed among the top 12 men and women in the Pre-Competitive Age Division (ages 9-11). Of the more than 5,000 students who participated worldwide, both Noura and Mikaela now advance to the YAGP Finals in New York City on April 4-11, joining a select group of some 350 promising dancers from 30 countries.
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| FSPA Ballet Conservatory students (L-R) Noura Sander, of Easton, Mikaela Guidice, of Norfolk, and Shaina McGillis, of Franklin, placed at the top of their age categories at the New England regional semi-finals of the 2014 Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) international ballet competition. Noura and Mikaela will go on to compete in the YAGP New York Finals on April 4-11 . |
Now in its 15th season, YAGP has since its inception awarded over $2 million in elite scholarships and dance contracts. Alumni are now dancing with some of the most prestigious companies around the world, including American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, English National Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and more. Bess Kargman’s award-winning documentary “First Position” followed six YAGP dancers as they competed in semi-final and final rounds of the competition. YAGP has earned a distinguished reputation as a showcase for emerging talent from the U.S. and abroad, and it is a distinct honor to be chosen for the NYC Finals from the semi-final round.
Mikaela, Noura and Shaina are coached by FSPA Ballet Mistress Cheryl Madeux, who formerly danced with American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Hartford Ballet and Joffrey Ballet companies. Madeux’s own ballet competition experience includes the National Society of Arts and Letters Ballet Competition, where she was awarded first place at age 15, and the Prix de Lausanne and Paris International Ballet Competitions, where she was a finalist for both.
Madeux has developed the Ballet Conservatory at FSPA, expanding the training from its foundations in the Vaganova syllabus to incorporate the new American Ballet Theatre (ABT) National Training Curriculum as well. Madeux, who received her Vaganova training from the Nutmeg Ballet Company in Torrington, CT, is an examiner for the ABT National Teacher Training Curriculum and a summer faculty member for the ABT Young Dancer’s Workshop in NY. This is the first year Madeux has prepared FSPA dancers for the YAGP competition, and she is delighted with the students’ showing.
"Seeing all three of our students recognized at the top of their age division in the semi-finals is wonderful, and to have two of our dancers advance to the finals in NY is extraordinary,” says Madeux. “This is quite an accomplishment for them and for our school. The opportunity to perform on a New York City stage and be exposed to the best teachers and professionals is priceless. I am sure they will never forget it. "
Noura, who will dance both contemporary and classical variations at the YAGP Finals, has aspired to be a professional ballet dancer since she was very little. “I love the gracefulness of ballet and I also love the discipline,” she says. “It makes you work your hardest and strive to do your best.”
Mikaela, who will perform a classical variation, praises the pure joy of dancing. “I love everything about ballet!” she enthuses. “It makes me happy. I can’t imagine my life without it, so I definitely plan to dance in college and maybe someday dance professionally.”
Madeux is pleased with the growth her students have demonstrated in the months of training, noting that the girls’ positive attitude, talent and disciplined approach to learning serve the young ballerinas well. “As a professional dancer, I have always appreciated my teachers and all they did for me,” Madeux says. “Now that I am the teacher, I realize that, much like a parent, we can only do so much. It is the talent and dedication of the students that will determine their own success. In my mind, these three young ladies have already won.”
For more information about FSPA’s Ballet Conservatory program or recreational ballet classes at the school, including summer camps and ballet intensives, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.fspaonline.com.
Voices of Franklin: Future PARCC MA Community Meetings + Flier "Do you know what Common Core is?"
Good Morning, Steve!
Went to one of the MA DOE PARCC meetings last night (Tuesday) at the Framingham State Univ. A two hour presentation and Q&A ran to three hours plus. Attendees were interested/concerned parents just trying to learn more about Common Core and PARCC field tests that will be starting this April. Teachers (from K-12), school committee officials and college professors. I would say about two dozen attendees. Ran into some Medway educators and learned about a meeting Medway is holding next week which may be of interest to Franklin parents/educators/school committee members.
In addition below is the link to MA DOE website with listing (below) of future PARCC MA Community Meetings run by Bob Bickerton, Senior Associate Commissioner and/or Maureen LaCroix, Special Assistant to Deputy Commissioner.
I picked up an extra copy of Power Point presentation, if you would like it to provide to readers, it's 12 pages long.
Thank you
Sandra Fredrick
Good links for background information:
Peabody TV · Special School Committee Meeting (90 minute video of meeting)
Two Massachusetts Schools Approve PARCC Opt-Out | Truth in American Education
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| PARCC |
PARCC Community Meeting Dates and Locations
*Additional dates and locations may be added. Registration is not required, but recommended so that we can better plan the events.
-March 20, 3:00-5:00 and 6:30-8:30--Holyoke High School, 500 Beech St., Holyoke, MA 01040
-March 20, 7:00-9:00--Medford High School, Caron Theater, 489 Winthrop St., Medford, MA 02155
-March 26, 6:30-8:30--Tahanto Regional Middle/High School, 1001 Main St., Boylston, MA 01505
-March 31, 3:00-5:00--Berkshire Community College, Campus Cafeteria, 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
-April 1, 6:00-8:00--Springfield Central High School, 1840 Roosevelt Ave., Springfield, MA 01109
*Additional dates and locations may be added. Registration is not required, but recommended so that we can better plan the events.
-March 20, 3:00-5:00 and 6:30-8:30--Holyoke High School, 500 Beech St., Holyoke, MA 01040
-March 20, 7:00-9:00--Medford High School, Caron Theater, 489 Winthrop St., Medford, MA 02155
-March 26, 6:30-8:30--Tahanto Regional Middle/High School, 1001 Main St., Boylston, MA 01505
-March 31, 3:00-5:00--Berkshire Community College, Campus Cafeteria, 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
-April 1, 6:00-8:00--Springfield Central High School, 1840 Roosevelt Ave., Springfield, MA 01109
Flyer for Medway meeting on Mar 27th
Sunrise Montessori - Open House - Apr 16
Sunrise Montessori School, Inc.
Wednesday, April 16th from 9:30am to 11:00am
Families are welcome to tour the classrooms, meet the teachers, watch a lesson presentation and learn more about our Montessori preschool and kindergarten programs.
For further information, please call the school's Director, Karen Roeber, at 508-541-8010 or see the school's website at: http://www.mysunrisemontessori.com/
Sunrise Montessori School, Inc. is located at 31 Hayward St., Franklin and is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
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| The sign will look a little different without the snow! |
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