Understanding the Special Education Budget

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7:00pm

Linda Waters, Director of Pupil Personal Services and Jeffrey Roy, chairman of the School Committee will lead a panel discussion on how Special Eduction receives funds in the Town of Franklin. During these difficult fiscal times a clear understanding of how the system works will benefit all parties involved. Jeffrey Roy will also give us an update concerning the upcoming over-ride vote that will take place in June. Please join us for this open discussion.

ALL MEETINGS ARE HELD AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 355 EAST CENTRAL ST. (RT 140) 3RD FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM.

From the Town Crier

Override Central adds Franklin

With a little reminder from someone you know, Override Central added Franklin to the listing for this year.

Operational Override History

This was originally published on the Franklin School Committee blog. I updated the table with last year's results and this year's opportunity.

Sale proceeds cannot be used for operational purposes

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 18, 2008 @ 09:50 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Town Council is slated to vote on the prospective $2.5 million sale of the former Four Corners School to Walgreens on Wednesday.

Arista Development, LLC, of Norwood, which is proposing the Walgreens Pharmacy, was the only bidder for the town-owned property at the intersection of King Street and Rte. 140, said Town Administrator Jeffery D. Nutting.

Arista has developed several Walgreens across the northeast, including Bellingham, said Arista Principal Scott A. Weymouth, noting he also helped develop the CVS on East Central Street.

The $2.5 million bid was a good offer, Nutting said.

The town paid $1.325 million for the Four Corners property about a decade ago, he said.

Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here.

Listen to the proposal made at the Town Council meeting here and read my notes from that meeting recorded during the meeting here.

Vote June 10th

Only one question on this ballot:

Question #1:

Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $2,800,000.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the operating budget for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008?

Yes or No

Visit Franklin Matters for all the details to cast an informed vote

'Franklin received a ``huge amount'' of Chapter 70 aid compared to other towns"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 17, 2008 @ 10:25 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

The House of Representatives has shot down a $25,000 earmark for the Red Brick School submitted by Rep. James Vallee, he said, but supporters of the school are still ``hoping and praying'' to find a way to keep it open, said Deborah Pellegri.
``We're just hoping and praying the school remains in existence, because it's going to be a shame (if it closes). This is history,'' said Pellegri, the town clerk and a member of the Brick School Task Force.
``The town of Franklin is known for the little Brick School and being home to the first public library, and (being the first town named after) Benjamin Franklin. It would be devastating for the Brick School to be closed - it would be an injustice to the town,'' said Pellegri, noting the Brick School was originally a wooden school building.
Vallee filed an amendment adding $25,000 to the House budget, he said, but members rejected it.
``I think it's a wonderful asset to our community, and I'd like to see it used as a school. I support it,'' Vallee said.
``I tried. I just think the Legislature was reticent to earmark a specific amount of money for a specific school,'' Vallee added.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

"we want to see this tradition continue"

The Milford Daily News gets to their write up of the conversation on the Fourth of July from the May 7th Town Council meeting.

You can read my notes here or listen to this segment of the meeting here.

You can read the full Milford Daily News article here.

On Teachers in Franklin

Jeff Roy wrote a good piece on the overall teacher count; how the school committee counts teachers vs. the Department of Education.

This is required reading to avoid speculation and hearsay.

Click through to read the posting here.

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

You can find all the override related information here

Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th

In the News - Closing Davis Thayer not an Option

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 15, 2008 @ 09:46 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Shutting down Davis Thayer Elementary School to save money is not going to happen any time soon, or possibly ever, says Superintendent Wayne Ogden, despite suggestions to that effect.

Closing the 16-classroom elementary school on West Central Street was one of a number of ideas raised in conversations between town and school leaders as a way to salvage some cash.

Davis Thayer, the town's oldest elementary school, aside from the one-classroom Red Brick School, was singled out because of its relatively high cost per pupil, said Ogden, compared to the district's other, newer elementary schools: John F. Kennedy, Helen Keller, Jefferson, Gerald M. Parmenter and Oak Street.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

School Committee Meeting 4/29/08

Audio segments from the meeting 4/29/08
(additional segments will be posted as time allows)

• Annie Sullivan: BC Poetry Contest Winners (audio)
• Annie Sullivan: Latin Awards (audio)
• Annie Sullivan: CSI Presentation (audio)
• FHS Student Representatives (audio)
• Accepting minutes, approving bills (audio)
• Citizens Comment: Chandler Creedon (audio)

Live reporting segments from the meeting 4/29/08

• Live from the school committee meeting 4/29/08
• Live from the School Committee meeting - facility ...
• Live reporting from School Committee meeting - FY ...
• Franklin School Committee Meeting April 29, 2008 ...

Annie Sullivan: BC Poetry Contest Winners (audio)

From the Franklin School Committee meeting on 4/29/08, Annie Sullivan Middle School recognizes two winners of the Boston College Poetry contest.

Time: 3 minutes, 40 seconds



MP3 File

Annie Sullivan: Latin Awards (audio)

From the Franklin School Committee meeting 4/29/08, the Annie Sullivan Middle School recognizes 14 students who passed a national Latin exam.

Time: 3 minutes, 38 seconds



MP3 File

Annie Sullivan: CSI Presentation (audio)

From the Franklin School Committee meeting on 4/29/08, students from the Annie Sullivan Middle School deliver a presentation. They used scientific methods in a CSI type format to solve a "crime" in one of the classrooms.

There is a video presentation that accompanies this but the audio is still sufficient to hear the enthusiasum of the students and their project.

Time: 9 minutes, 38 seconds



MP3 File

FHS Student Representatives (audio)

From the Franklin School Committee meeting 4/29/08, the two student representatives from Franklin High School provide their update on what is happening.

Time: 2 minutes, 1 second



MP3 File

Accepting minutes, approving bills (audio)

From the School Committee meeting 4/29/08, the acceptence of prior meeting minutes and approval of bills and payroll.

Time: 1 minute, 38 seconds



MP3 File

Citizens Comment: Chandler Creedon (audio)

From the School Committee meeting 4/29/08, Chandler Creedon, President of the Franklin teachers union corrects some mis-information

Time: 1 minute, 23 seconds



MP3 File

"we don't want to be the employer of last resort"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 15, 2008 @ 12:47 AM

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FRANKLIN —

A group of more than 30 residents exchanged insights on the $2.8 million override question with town and school officials last night at the Knights of Columbus in the first such intimate forum planned before the June 10 vote.

Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, School Superintendent Wayne Ogden, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy, Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche and Councilor Stephen Whalen spent more than two hours explaining the town's finances, why officials want an override, and answering the questions at a forum sponsored by Franklin Newcomers and Friends.

In his presentation of the school budget, Ogden responded to suggestions from some residents that administrators should be cut to save money.

Franklin spends less than half of the state average on administration, per pupil: $201 vs. $403 in 2007, according to information posted on the state Department of Education Web site.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

My summary of the same meeting can be found:

• Q & A - continued (live reporting)
• Q & A session (live reporting)
• Newcomer's Club - Override Information Forum

Q & A - continued (live reporting)

Q - Are Marini's apartments or condominiums?
A - Condominiums. Condos are actually a good deal for the town, they are taxed upon their value. They generally have less children.

Comment from a resident who teaches in Wellesley. She would love to teach here but with the cuts so frequently, she would be one of the first out the door.

Q - Why is the override only affecting the schools?
A - Jeff answers that the 1.8 million in new revenue was split and the town managed to use their portion. The safety (fire and police) got their overtime cut.

Jim Roche
The safety departments were looking for additional folks but they did not get approved in the budget. The town will suffer but it won't be as visible.

Comment: You have a bad rap, you didn't ask for enough so you don't know what you're doing. I am not hearing the buzz that I heard last year. I am hearing a lot more negative this time.

Wayne Ogden
Q - How does the charter school funding work?
A - It is a state formula but the dollars per student that the district pays is what the charter is eligible to receive. So if our funding goes up, they will benefit. If ours go down, theirs will as well.

Q - What about out of town students?
A - We only use school choice to fill spots that would otherwise be empty. Therefore there is no additional cost for us but there is additional revenue.

Q - Can we talk about re-districting?
A - It is highly likely that this will happen sometime. The large majority of the new development coming is in the Keller-Sullivan district. You already tight for space there. As the new construction comes online, this will increase the pressure to re-district and balance the school population amongst the existing facilities. One other factor is the 17 modular units that would need to get replaced in the next several years. Would we replace them or add on to an existing elementary school. There is a space needs committee working on this issue.

Q - Is the Brick school open or closed?
A - It is still in currently but it has not been fully funded. There are open classrooms at Davis Thayer that could easily absorb the classroom.

Q - The Newcomer's group is looking to use space for the meetings but the town facilities are not generally open or under consideration.
A - Jeff Nutting says that this could be discussed.

Q & A session (live reporting)

Jeff shifts the topic to Finances

Fixed cost continue to rise above our ability to raise revenues

There is a three-year plan as part of this years budget, we get more negative each year going out.

All employees are getting modest raises, generally less than the cost of living.

"Don't beat up public employees just because the town is having financial problems"

"We talk about regionalization and every where else in the country that happens but doesn't happen here."

There is a ballot item this November to remove the State Income tax. This provides 40% of the state revenue. What would replace it? No one has answered that question.

----------------
Steve Whalen

"A town's budget is a reflection of it's values"

Steve explains how the tax rate analysis he did was done separately it is not an official town document. He did the analysis to answer the comments coming during the override discussion last year that "we can't afford it" He is a financial analyst in his work life.

The residential tax burden goes to affordability.
Being 24th out of 30, tells Steve that if we chose to, we can afford to pay more.
15th out of 17th amongst the towns with a single tax rate.

"One thing I would say to you as an analyst, the override is not about overspending and waste. It not about miss-management. It is about what kind of town you want to live in."

Based upon Steve's analysis, "it is a sensible thing to do."
After tax cost about 50 cents per day.

Newcomer - "There is a different approach this year, it is not being thrust down our throats."

Jeff Roy
"If the layoffs go through, it is a step back of some magnitude."
You are getting factual information to make a choice.
Look at Randolph and what is happening there.

Steve Whalen
OPEC and the oil countries don't care that MA has a Prop 2 1/2 in place.
If I were in Hopkinton, #4 on the listing, I would be digging into the numbers to find ways.

Jim Roche
If property values decrease, the overall taxes will not decrease, we will raise the tax rates.

Arlington plan outlined. Whether we go that way or not, we do need to go with a longer term plan.

Jeff Nutting
Q - What happened to Chap 70? Isn't that the local aid designed for the schools? Where is it going, is it going into the general town fund?
A - Yes, it is but as long as we are above the net school spending per the State, we can apply it as we need to.

Wayne Ogden
Reviewing his handout that will be used in the Town Budget meetings next week.
First chart, the State average spending category by category showing where Franklin is less than the state average in 10 of the 11 categories.
Last year, we were 9 of 11. Next year, Wayne predicts that next year if the override were to fail we will be lower than the state in all 11 categories.

Wayne walks through the numbers to get from the level service number less the town funding to get to the override number of $2.8 Million.

Use gas instead of oil to heat schools and have locked in a good rate to save money.
Impact of failed override restated as

• 17 teachers and one administrator at the High School
• 12.5 teachers at the middle schools
• 15 teachers at the elementary schools
• district wide reductions in curriculum teams, professional development, text books, late bus, increase pay-to-ride, and loss one additional administrator at the Central Office
• increase in class sizes
  

Why send layoff notices so early?
If a teacher gets another position, we don't pay their unemployment.


Sample teacher salaries across several communities the highest and lowest salaries are very comparable.

Q - What is the cost of the late bus?
A - $39,600. There are so many bad choices.

Q - How does the school facilities budget affect the budget?
A - It is not a money savings measure. There are more likely to be increases in future years.

Jeff Roy did find the clip of Jeff Nutting predicting last year that this year we would need approx $3 million for another override, hence his "Nostradamus" nick name.

Jim Roche
Q - I understand why we are here again this year. Mis-management is the perception.
A - The use of the surplus and the growth in Chapter 70 has allowed the town to avoid the problem. The base needs to grow substantially.

Steve Whalen
"Hard to argue that you can be a real high quality town with really low taxes."

Newcomer's Club - Override Information Forum

Live reporting from the Knight's of Columbus Hall

Jeff Nutting, Wayne Ogden, Jeff Roy, Steve Whalen, Jim Roche

Jeff Nutting opens with a general overview of Franklin

New Senior Center, Fire station (ladder truck arrives next week)
New building downtown, continuing to build the condominiums in back
Family Circle one of top 10 to raise a family
Fortune Small Business of of 10 best to start a business
Fourth of July being supported by Town to the extent that they can
Looking to improve te quality of life
Bids out to repair the outside of the library
Schools need repairs, the high school is also a challenge
Sewer rate going down, water rate going up
Continue to re-invest in the town and its facilities
Done a lot of catch up in last 6-7 years
Now try to just maintain the capital investments
and to take care of the roads, the State paid for Union St (over $1M)
redesign downtown being planned
will look at underground utilities, they are expensive
Four Corners Building sale up for Council vote next week
$2.5 Million vs. the $1 M we paid for it
Pond St land still up for consideration
Banners are not actually legal in town
trying to contain the use, Town has been guilty of violating this

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

Q - What about the signs over the train tracks?
A - use the sign in downtown to advertise, approval for sign comes from the Building Dept.

Q - How is revenue generated for the town?
A - business pay about 20% of our income, previously paid about 24%, the burden shifts amongst the payers but the town still collects the same amount of tax income (by law). It would be nice to collect more from businesses, but given the amount of land left, not going to change the percentage very much. There will be more re-development than new development. Local receipts fluctuate with the economy, i.e. excise taxes from auto sales. MA very reliant on property taxes. Where did last year's override money go? It is in the revenue stream, in the budget and being used. State will have a real issue in 2010 with limited options to provide local funding. The good news about Prop 2 1/2 is that the citizens decide the quality of life for the community. Most important it to get the facts and make a decision. Show up and vote.

Q - What would it take to get sidewalks on Chestnut?
A - Jokingly, slim or none. Realistically, there are other roads ahead of Chestnut on the list. Re-doing Pleasant street is estimated at costing $9.2 million. Storm water regulations are coming. Unfunded Health Insurance liability, $50 Million exposure with no plan yet.

Q - Is there a way to find out when sidewalks get fixed.
A - There is a listing at the DPW of priorities.

Q - Any thoughts of re-designing Lincoln St near the school?
A - Did put some adjustments there when it opened. There is a design on file to replace the walkway with another lane. It is designed in case it really becomes an issue. If more folks do drive their kids (i.e. with the bus fee rising).

Q - On the re-design of downtown is there a parking garage?
A - Not really foreseeable. Parking is an issue. Park at Wrentham Mall and walk a mile to the car, but downtown you want to park next to the store.

Q - What about the water ban?
A - Part of our state permit is the water ban. They determine the amount of water we can pump. We are selling less water which is why the water rates are going up?

Q - Everybody is going green, what about solar?
A - From a commercial perspective, only one location in the state forest and one up by Tri-County that would have enough wind to drive the turbine and sell electricity back to the grid.

Q - What is happening on Daniels St?
A - A new water main is going in this year, paving would be next year.

Where in Franklin? #49

Pine Woods along trail, originally uploaded by lastonein.

A challenge this time submitted by a reader.

Where would you find this scene?

The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.

Where in Franklin? Answer #48

Where in Franklin? #48, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The answer came in from two folks correctly identifying this as
Bullukian Oil on Alpine Row.

Thanks for playing!

"Some people believe school officials are not actually going to follow through"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 13, 2008 @ 10:42 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Forty-seven teachers were given notices yesterday informing them they may not have a job this September, Superintendent Wayne Ogden announced last night.

The teachers, whose identities are not public, were told the district's budget made it impossible to promise them a job in the fall, Ogden said.

School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said it made him "sick."

"It's just painful for people who received the notices, it's their livelihood," Ogden said, noting some of the teachers have worked in Franklin schools many years.

"It's a heavy burden for them," said Ogden, who decided to warn teachers early to give them an opportunity to find other jobs.

Read the full story at the Milford Daily News here

School Committee Mtg Summary 5/13/08

These are the written posts I made during the meeting.

The audio files for these segments will be posted as time permits.



Text summary of each meeting segment

• Sub - committee reports/New business
• "this is not a drill"
• Reduction in Force - "layoff notices"
• Action items
• Pay to Ride - discussion only item
• English Language Learners (ELL)
• School Committee - live reporting
• Franklin School Committee Meeting 5/13/08 - 7:00 P...

Sub - committee reports/New business

Rohrbach
working on goals for the new business administrator, Miriam Goodman

Rohrbach, can we get a MetroWest Health Survey update
to be put on a future meeting agenda

Cafasso
can we get a listing of programs that are "unfunded mandates"

Nov 18th, Nov 25th
4th is election day, 11th is Veterans day

"this is not a drill"

April to April - 200 increase

coincidently works out to about $2.6 million, increase in students means an increase in costs

high school enrollment will increase at a minimum of 101

17 teacher positions are projected to be cut at the high school
parents of means make make the choice after June 10th to move the students to private school to maintain a smaller class size

Sabolinski
"this is not a drill"

Roy
"This is not the way to attract and retain good teachers"

Reduction in Force - "layoff notices"

47 individuals received notice today due to the uncertainty of budget that makes it impossible to renew a contract for next year.

Meets the contractual notice one month early to give the opportunity to look for employment.

Identities of those individuals are not for public discussion at this time.

Action items

I recommend acceptance of a check for $260.00 from Morrison Communications for the Franklin High School as commission for their logo appearing on the FHS Athletic Schedule.

2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,306.50 from the Parmenter PCC for the following field trips:

• Grade 3 – Plimoth Plantation
• Grade 4 – Museum of Science
• Grade 5 – Freedom Trail

3. recommend acceptance of a check for $475.00 from the Keller PCC for the Kindergarten field trip to Southwick Zoo.

4. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann 7th graders to travel to Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI on June 3rd and 4th.


All items approved.

Pay to Ride - discussion only item

The Pay-to-Ride letters need to get out to parents for next year. The pricing in the letter is dependent upon the status of the override coming June 10th.

$39,600 cost of late bus for FY 2009

If the family pays-to-ride and goes home late, they don't pay the extra dollar for the late bus
If the family qualifies for the reduced lunch program, they don't pay for the late bus

Pay-to-Ride sign ups are required in June for next September
provides time for the bus company to prepare the number of buses required

If the override passes, no change in pricing
If the override fails, there is a proposal for a $100 increase in the fee

Ogden recommends issuing the letter with pricing based upon the successful override
with a way for families to opt out if the override fails and they choose not to pay the increase required from the failed override.

updated 8:00 PM
-----------------

Cafasso:
layman's attempt at fuel escalation clause
bus company commits to provide a set amount of services for the year in advance
with fuel costs above and below a certain price, with in a range they absorb the difference
above the range, the cost is passed on to Franklin

Are all the students using the late bus, paying when they are supposed?
Probably not, probably a small amount

Kelly:
concern over time line for notification to bus company and override results
major negotiation point is in July, other opportunities before school opens and just after school opens

GATRA is an alternative, assuming their ridership builds
It would be a slower, longer ride given the nature of their route

Rohrbach:
admits the school committee hasn't voted on a total budget

Ogden:
if you don't sign up, there is no guarantee that there will be a seat for the children if you wait
it would be better to sign up, and if necessary, withdraw

Sabolinski:
There was a significant wait list last year and some of those on the list ended up taking part of the two added buses but the families had to wait until the buses come online.

Armenio:
How late can we wait?

Ogden:
July.

Sabolinski:
Schools share the late bus

Roy:
Pure energy and bio-diesel fuel?

Ogden:
we did investigate it, does not know if it was applied for
will follow up with Mike D'Angelo

Roy:
supports recommendation to go with this years rate and appropriate language to opt out as required

English Language Learners (ELL)

ELL - English Language Learners

presentation by Linda Waters

A review of the four year initiative

Sheltered English Immersion (SEI)

DOE had found Franklin in "noncompliance status" in 2004

not a service to teach curriculum, focused on teaching English as a language

two .5 ELL teachers, both half-time; one for elementary and one for middle school
one full time ELL teacher

close to 100 teachers with some level of training in this area

February 2008, DOE has found Franklin in "compliance" with the mandate

29 students designated as ELL
10 students designated as Former ELL (FELPs)

current languages being spoken by these students

Vietnamese, Spanish, Gujarti, Hindi, Cebuano, Telugu, Chinese, Bulgarian, Swahili, Russian, French, Arabic, Krio, and Portugese

22 kindergarten students identified as possible ELL's

Lisa talking about teaching the children who have trouble with the English language
other students in the classroom are helpful providing assistance
meets with students once a week as she is only part-time
get support to the regular teachers so they can provide help

Helen talking about the same program as provided to the secondary education students

Q - Armenio
This is one of the state unfunded mandates

Q - Trahan - Help for families?
The Franklin library provides a program in English as a Second Language for adults in the community. (side note - yes, I can vouch for this program as I participate as a tutor in this program.)

Q - Rohrbach - with 22 kindergartens possible, is this a growing trend?
Yes, it is. Given the other communities nearby, it is not surprising that we will gain some of these other languages.

Q - Roy, this was a result of a statewide ballot initiative

Lisa describes how she uses photos to elicit the students involvement in building their vocabulary, disposable cameras are good for this. Link the objects to the words.
Use total physical response to build the recognition of the verb and the word.

Waters:
Social language develops very quickly with interaction amongst their peers, the curriculum language takes longer (up to six years) to develop. Many of the students are also coming into the system with little schooling in their background or sometimes large gaps in their schooling (due to civil war in their former country).

Ogden:
ELL staff have two roles, one to teach the students and one to teach the teachers
kudos to the ELL teachers and to all the staff to make this program so successful

School Committee - live reporting

no citizens comment

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

minutes approved
"Mike" Raposa changed to "Tim"

bill approved to be paid

payroll approved

updated 7:04 PM
--------------

Kevin Murphy
FHS Student representative completing his Senior year
heading to Providence College to major in bio-premed

updated 7:07 PM
--------------

Caitlin Davenport
won 1st place in her age group for the Most Original Poem
in the BC State Science Poetry Contest

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

"it's not true that we can't afford more"

When comparing Franklin's tax burden to those of 29 other comparable communities - neighboring towns, those near the Interstate 495 belt with a high commercial/industrial base like Franklin, and those with similar populations - Franklin fares well.

"We're still, by this measure, a very efficient town. People who talk about waste and inefficiency - I don't see any evidence of it.

"How can you have waste and inefficiency if you're spending less than all your peers? There's none," said Whalen.

In 1999, the most current available census data, Franklin's median family income was $81,826, which has almost certainly increased with the influx of professionals in recent years, Whalen said.

Franklin's median home assessment for 2008 is $411,508, putting the tax burden - (a measure based on a person's income and home value) at 5.1 percent, Whalen said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Feeley responds to McGann (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 5/7/08, you may recall that Councilor Joe McGann used the Citizens Comment section to complain about his not getting notified of the 4/30/07 meeting starting at 6:00 PM instead of 7:00 PM.

Due to the protocol around Citizens Comment, Feeley could not respond at that time and waited until Councilor Comments (at the end of the meeting) to make his response.

Time: 1 minute, 42 seconds



MP3 File

New Committee to develop 5 Yr Projections (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 5/7/08, Chairman Chris Feeley introduces as new business a motion to create a new committee of 2 Finance Committee, 2 School Committee and 3 Town Councilors to develop a 5 year projection. There is some discussion amongst the council and I suggest to add 2 additional members to represent the Town folks to bring them into the process to help build some trust in the numbers.

Time: 6 minutes, 4 seconds



MP3 File

Franklin School Committee Meeting 5/13/08 - 7:00 P.M.

AGENDA

Call to order Mr. Roy

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

· Citizen’s Comments

· Review of Agenda

· Minutes:

I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 29, 2008 School Committee Meeting.

· Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly

· Payroll Ms. Armenio

· FHS Student Representatives

· Correspondence:

1. Budget to Actual

2. Letter from Peter Faenza

3. Letter from Rose Solbo

2. Guests/Presentations:

a. Signing of FEA Contract

b. ELL Update

c. Keller BC State Science Poetry Winner

3. Discussion Only Items

· Pay-to-Ride Program 2008-09

4. Action Items:

1. I recommend acceptance of a check for $260.00 from Morrison Communications for the Franklin High School as commission for their logo appearing on the FHS Athletic Schedule.

2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,306.50 from the Parmenter PCC for the following field trips:

1. Grade 3 – Plimoth Plantation

2. Grade 4 – Museum of Science

3. Grade 5 – Freedom Trail

3. recommend acceptance of a check for $475.00 from the Keller PCC for the Kindergarten field trip to Southwick Zoo.

4. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann 7^th graders to travel to Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI on June 3^rd and 4^th.

5. Information Matters:

· Superintendent’s Report

a. Enrollment Comparisons for April

b. 2008-2009 School Committee Schedule – Draft

c. Reduction in Force

d. Letter from Congressman James McGovern regarding Medicaid Reimbursement

· School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

· School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business:

· To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session

· Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

it's been an emotional and financial challenge

By Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 11, 2008 @ 09:58 PM

Last update May 11, 2008 @ 10:55 PM

---

When Joe and Kelly Hurley's two boys were babies, the Franklin couple brought them to the pediatrician for standard shots. Like good parents, they were trying to protect their kids from whooping cough and tetanus.

Both boys suffered bad reactions to the vaccines, coming down with 104-degree fevers and rashes with ballooned cheeks, Kelly Hurley says. Now 9 and 10, one has moderate autism; the other has a non-verbal learning disorder.

Today, the family has its eye on Washington, where a federal court takes up a hot theory in the autistic community, and one the Hurleys believe: a mercury-based preservative in vaccines can trigger the developmental disorder.

there's so much need out there

By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 11, 2008 @ 09:35 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Before the new senior center opened, there was one segment of the town's senior population that was getting left out: Elders who are homebound, isolated, frail or experiencing cognitive difficulties.

But that's all changing now that the Council on Aging has been able to expand in the ample new space off Oak Street, and also thanks to two grants from the Metrowest Community Healthcare Foundation and the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs totaling $34,000.

The Council on Aging is now offering an adult supportive day care program for seniors who might otherwise remain at homes or may be candidates for nursing-home care.

"The response has been really overwhelming," said COA Director Karen Alves. "And I think it's because there's so much need out there."

Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here.

"never become engrossed with the size of your wallet, but rather the size of your heart"

By Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 10, 2008 @ 11:31 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Calling it the most "amazing and frightening day of our lives,'' Dean College graduate Jennifer Carr dared the Class of 2008 to keep dreaming during Saturday's commencement.
"Never try to be perfect ... and never become engrossed with the size of your wallet, but rather the size of your heart,'' said Carr, who received a bachelor's of arts degree in dance.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

"To receive an award for something that you do every day and that you enjoy doing just doesn't make sense"

Deborah Pellegri, Franklin Town Clerk, was quoted in the Milford Daily News as part of the article on the state recognition for "unsung heroines":

"To receive an award for something that you do every day and that you enjoy doing just doesn't make sense,'' said Pellegri, who helped to raise money for the town's statue of Benjamin Franklin.
Pellegri, who also planned the town's yearly Fourth of July activities for years, said she is excited to go to the State House for the ceremony.
"My husband and I are going to hop on the train and we'll scoot into the State House for day,'' she said.

Read the full article in the Daily News here.

"I think you can say things constructively"

"I think you can say things constructively, without the negativity," she said. "You can say 'win this,' not 'don't lose this.' It's just your wording, and I think that you can send your message positively."

This just might have something to do with the wining record for the Franklin High School Girls Softball team. The quote is from Lindsey Garfield, in her first year as coach.

Read the full article in today's Boston Globe here.

Franklin Center - opening September 2008

Franklin Center - opening September 2008, originally uploaded by shersteve.

"Single level living"

Seems to me to mean that each condo will be located within one floor as the building will be three stories tall (at least that is what it appears to be now).

That is a good advantage for a condo compared to other layouts where you have your space spread amongst a smaller foot print and you use multiple floors for your living space.

Way to go!

Franklin Center grows

Franklin Center grows, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Almost missed this as it is tucked away behind the completed buildings along Main St. They have moved aggressively and have a second floor almost complete with a third floor coming.

Way to go!

Parmenter School: Car Wash/Bottle Drive 5/17/08

Parmenter School: Car Wash/Bottle Drive 5/17/08, originally uploaded by shersteve.

On our walk today, found this to spread the good news about!

Attention Franklin Train Riders

Franklin Line Necessary Track Work ~ Bussing Monday through Friday

Beginning Thursday May 8 and continuing until further notice Monday through Friday, passengers on trains operating between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM will be bussed between Norwood Central and Walpole and vice-versa.

All passengers at the Windsor Gardens stop will be dropped off and picked up on Route 1A in front of the Windsor Gardens complex, not at the station.

Delays of up to 30 minutes may occur to the following trains as a result of the bussing: Outbound: 707, 709 and 711 Inbound: 714, 716 and 718

We apologize for any inconvenience that may result from this necessary track work. Thank you for riding Commuter Rail.

From the MBTA web site

Note: After the work on this particular section, there will be bussing around the Norfolk and then Franklin/Dean and Franklin/Forge Park stations. This is due to the required track work and that there is only a single track between Franklin and Walpole.

This is part of the notice made back in April.

In the News - Water/Sewer rates

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 09, 2008 @ 11:36 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Residents will start paying more for water, and less on sewer this July.

Thanks to conservation, the town is not selling as much water as it has in years past, and will bump up the rate 15 percent at the start of fiscal 2009, and another 15 percent in fiscal 2010, as voted 6-2 by Town Council on May 7.

The council also agreed to lower sewer charges by 10 percent, as recommended by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

The dual changes will result an a net increase of about $23 for the average rate payer, Nutting estimated.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

Read my notes written during the during meeting here.

Listen to this segment of the meeting to hear what was said by whom.

DPW Open House 5/31/08 (audio)

From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, reminder that the water conservation restrictions will begin the Tuesday after Memorial day.

There is also an announcement of the Open House at the Dept of Public Works. Focused for the kids and families.

Time: 2 minutes, 20 seconds



MP3 File

My notes from the meeting can be found here.

Water/Sewer Rate Changes (audio)

From the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, the discussion and eventual vote approving the water rate increase of 15% and sewer rate decrease 10%. The water rate will also increase in FY 2010 another 15% to help provide the funding necessary to continue the water line repairs at about 1-2 miles per year.

Admendment moved to second reading on personnel classification adjustments.

Amendment moved to second reading on an adjustment to the water map.

Time: 10 minutes, 47 seconds



MP3 File

My notes from the meeting can be found here.

Town Common sign placement (audio)

From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, there was less discussion than the first time this came up (which caused it to go away for rework).

It is a sign touting the historical signifcance of the town to be positioned on the Town Common. It can be moved if necessary.

Time: 11 minutes, 34 seconds



MP3 File

Other action items (audio)

From the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, a series of resolutions were discussed briefly and voted on to approve funding for the following:

• balance the snow/ice account now that winters passed
• zoning board advertising budget
• override election funding
• veterans budget adjustment
• comptroller budget adjustment
  

Time: 5 minutes, 37 seconds

MP3 File

My notes taken during the meeting can be found here.

Ladder Truck paydown plan (audio)

From the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, the discussion and vote on the paydown plan for the new ladder truck. The truck costs $869,000. This resolution approves the payment of $169,000 this year and $175,000 for each of the next 4 years.

Time: 3 minutes, 45 seconds



MP3 File

My notes taken during the meeting can be found here.

4th of July (audio)

The new 4th of July coalition gets the same town backing (capped at $15,000) as when the town ran the recent 4th celebrations (approx 2002-2007).

There is no parade this year. The group was cautioned that this should be considered seed money. They should expect to become self-sustaining in future years as the town funds are tight.

Time: 17 minutes, 48 seconds



MP3 File

The notes from the meeting can be found here.

Franklin School Department positions lost 2003-2009

If the override does not get passed, the school department would lose 46.5 positions. The reduction this year (FY 2009) would come primarily from teachers in the classroom this year that would leave in June and not return to help Franklin's students continue their education in September.

A more complete picture of the reductions in the education budget can be found in the slide presentation found here.

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Learn all you can by visiting here frequently.

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

You can find all the override related information here

Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th

Election date - June 10th

Election Date

Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Time: 6:00am - 8:00pm

Place: Franklin High School Fieldhouse

Question #1: Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $2,800,000.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the operating budget for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008? Yes No

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Learn as much as you can 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

Four Corners Potential Sale to Walgreens (audio)

from the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, the presentation and discussion on the potential sale of the Four Corners building and land to Walgreens. This item will return to the agenda in two weeks for a formal vote.

Time: 24 minutes, 10 seconds



MP3 File

My notes taken during the meeting can be found here.

Councilor McGann during Citizens Comment (audio)

From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, Councilor McGann uses the Citizens Comment portion of the meeting to complain about his not getting notified of the meeting at 6:00 PM the week before to vote on the override question. He arrived at 6:50 and was surprised to find the meeting over.

Time: 5 minutes, 4 seconds



MP3 File

My notes taken during the comments by Councilor McGann can be found here.

"Franklin voters will be able to start trusting again"

Yes, I did say that.

During the Town Council meeting 5/7/08 when Chairman Chris Feeley proposed a committee to prepare a long range projection for Town finances.

I'll have the complete audio file up some time this week. In the mean time, you can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

My "live blogging" recap of the meeting can be found here.

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.

Town Administrator Report

moved discussion on Peace & Good Order amendments to June 4th meeting

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meeting in Boston, tip sheet the downtown funding should be okay

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new business

proposal to put together a group to come up with a five year projection, comprised of
2 School
2 Finance
3 Councilors

suggestion by myself to add two citizens to the panel

motion approved

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Zollo participated at Davis Thayer PCC today to answer questions on override

McGann condolences to Mrs Mullen on the loss of her husband

Feeley to address McGann on meeting moved to 6:00 PM
he will show the email with his name on it
he was not aware of the meeting at 6:00, he did show up early for the 7:00 PM meeting
Feeley will take the heat for it

Water conservation starting

Tuesday after Memorial Day

start lawns before then, after that Tuesday you'll need to abide by the restrictions

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DPW Open House

10:00 to 1:00 PM on May 31st

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Action items

Resolution passed to grant an easement 5 years after the fact

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Franklin 4th of July

resolution to allow town resources to work on the events for the celebration

Mike Kelly, co-chair
Warren Revell, paperwork submitted for 501C
Frank Falvey

Feeley confirms that their attorney has been applied for the necessary paperwork for both

amendment to limit the Town expense at $15K - passed unanimously

net expense of 10K to be reimbursed

approx 2002 town took over the 4th of July
transitioned from no cost to town cost to capped cost

Fire overtime was cut from budget so this would need to be added back
All-night party is paid for by a grant and not town money

partly good will, partly good public safety to have someone at the event

Bartlett advises to start thinking for obtaining their own funding for next year

Revell - "precedent set, town should show some support"
Bartlett - "needs to be equitable"

Vallee will support it, McGann echoes Vallee
with fuel cost rising, the crowd this year will potentially be larger

Kelly wants to keep the tradition going
meeting weekly to lay out the ground work for this event

Falvey - citizens may not have been aware of the town support
please contact if you would lke to make a donation
PO Box 152, Franklin, MA

there is no parade this year
there will be fireworks

there are two open booths currently

resolution passed as amended

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ladder truck pay down
Finance Committee approved 9-0

discussion on value of the equipment and how frequently it would be used
how to you value a life? the safety of the firefighters is significantly improved

unanimously approved

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resolution on snow/ice

approved unanimously

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resolution on zoning board advertising budget adjustment

question on where the money is coming from, insurance claims varies
budget for FY 09 is less in that account

approved unanimously

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resolution on override election funding

approved unanimously

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resolution on veterans expenses

approved unanimously

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resolution on comptroller budget adjustment for advertising expense

approved unanimously

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resolution on Town Common sign placement

signs for historic walking trail which starts at Brick School House

Zollo speaking for, thanks for work

a permanent sign with historic significance
funding for the sign is from the grant from the Downtown Development

discussion on placement, does it denigrate?

approved 7-2 vote

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amendment on water rate/sewer rate

Vallee on the record opposing this by-law

roll
McGann no, Vallee no, Whalen absent

passed 6-2

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amendment personnel regulations

moving to second reading, adds positions to salary scale
raising scale by 3%, due to cost of living actually 4.3% which is raising it less than the cost of living

this doesn't cost the town anything by itself, it just provides the scale by which the positions are hired at

adding positions in anticipation of resolving the facilities issue

more discussion coming at second reading

approved unanimously

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by-law amendment to adjust water map

Pfeffer expressed desire to vote against

developer looking for town water extension
wells did go dry in that area 3-4 years ago
subdivision is in vicinity of well 10

no cost to the town but does bring a benefit to the town

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Four Corners Building

Four Corners School - Proposal for purchase from Walgreens

Richard Cornetta, attorney
Scott Weymouth, principle for Arista, LLC

Walgreen by this group is already in Bellingham at intersection of RT 126/140

provided a couple of plans to the council

site plan does include a couple of other private residences already under contract to Arista

envisions set back requirements due to proximity to residences, ready for planning board approval processes

14,500 sq
no more than 2 stories tall
60 parking spaces
single entrance, double exit from King St
single entrance, single exit on Cross St

does envision a drive-up for pharmacy, not like fast food drive-ups

extreme corner at King/140 would be green space
recognizes importance of location as approach to town

$2.5 million
approx 40K annual real-estate taxes, a number of jobs created
20 permanent positions once operational
construction positions created for the building

P/S by June 08, permits by Dec 08
projected closing date for Feb 09
shovels in the ground potential for Mar 09

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Feeley answers a question about has this already been sold?
No, it has not. This is a proposal.
The economic development group has approved this unanimously

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Pfeffer with proposal for moving one of the existing to another space within the town and have Habitant for Humanity work to bring in two units

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

discussion on the willingness to work with the town
could consider moving the house, could consider renovating
one was planned to remove

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less than 25% mezzanine level on the second floor to move some of the operational space up there and leave the lower level for the retail space

would do a full traffic study, did a brief analysis to prepare the draft plans

their estimate of tax revenue is in the ball park per Jeff Nutting

construction if started in Mar could be done by October to be open in time for the holidays

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McGann question on the restrictions with the 24 hour drive through and neighbors comments
was written into the RFP specifying the restriction

how does it effect the developer?
there is an impact, a competitive disadvantage

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

Vallee complaining again about restrictions

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

did design to meet the requirements
minimum should be 59 parking spots

---------------
will be on agenda two weeks from tonight for a vote

Election Info - McGann uses Citizens Comment

Live blogging from the Council Chambers at the Town Hall

Town Clerk - Debbie Pellegri with election information

absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk office at Town Hall
can vote at the office up to 12:00 noon on the day of the election
absentee requests must be made in writing (no emails)

Register by Wednesday 5/21/08

phone for Town Clerk office - 508 520 4900

Voting from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM on June 10th
All precincts will vote at the high school field house

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Councilor Joe McGann making a citizen comment regards to missing last week's 6:00 PM meeting

claims he was not notified of the meeting, was the only councilor not notified

should have been a different way of notifying the public of the change

would have voted for putting the override on the ballot

Chairman Feeley can not answer the question during the citizens comment portion of the meeting

is posted on the Clerk's office that the meeting was 7:00 PM, although below it was a smaller notice changing to 6:00 PM

no finger pointing intended, just wants to make the point clear

Town Council Meeting Summary 5/7/08

This is the summary of the live blogging posts and the audio recordings for the Town Council meeting held on May 7, 2008. The posts are listed in reverse chronological order.

• Feeley responds to McGann (audio)
• New Committee to develop 5 Yr Projections (audio)
• DPW Open House 5/31/08 (audio)
• Water/Sewer Rate Changes (audio)
• Town Common sign placement (audio)
• Other action items (audio)
• Ladder Truck paydown plan (audio)
• 4th of July (audio)
• Four Corners Potential Sale to Walgreens (audio)
• Councilor McGann during Citizens Comment (audio)
• 5 Year Plan committee to be formed (text)
• Town Administrator Report (text)
• Water conservation starting (text)
• Action items (text)
• Four Corners Building (text)
• Election Info - McGann uses Citizens Comment (text)

"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

"I had a lot of preconceived notions"

"Definitely, take the opportunity to go out there. Certainly, before I got involved in town government, I had a lot of preconceived notions about what was going on," Roche said.

"It's a big, important decision, and there are a lot of factors in there," he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

Listen to all that Jim Roche said as he said it at the Finance Committee meeting here

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

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

Finance Committee Meeting Summary 5/6/08

The audio segments from the Finance Committee meeting of Tuesday 5/6/08 are as follows:

Nutting updates the Facilities Issue (audio)

Override Information (audio)

Possible 4 Corners Bldg/Land Sale (audio)

Budget adjustments for snow/ice (audio)

New Ladder Truck arrives next week (audio)

Override Election Budget Approved (audio)

4 Corners Bldg for $2.5M (text)

Nutting updates the Facilities Issue

From the Franklin Finance Committee meeting 5/6/08, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting provides an update on the facilities transfer issue. It may not be resolved before the end of this fiscal year, or before the override vote.

It is not an override vote issue, there will be no money saved this FY 09 budget. The only question is who controls the budget for this the Schools (as they have and done well with) or the Town?

Time: 2 minutes, 56 seconds



MP3 File

Override Information

From the Franklin Finance Committee meeting on 5/6/08, Chair Jim Roche reviews the information on the upcoming override vote scheduled for June 10th,

Time: 2 minutes, 57 seconds



MP3 File


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

Possible 4 Corners Bldg/Land Sale

From the Franklin Finance Committee meeting 5/6/08, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting provides an update of the upcoming discussion at the Town Council meeting 5/7/08. WalGreen is offering $2.5 million for the land which if approved would net the town approx. $1.1 million for use on another capital asset (i.e. another building or payoff of debt for another building, firestation or Senior Center come to mind).

Time: 4 minutes, 32 seconds



MP3 File

Note: Capital revenues of this sort can not be used for operational expenses.

Budget adjustments for snow/ice

From the Franklin Finance Committee of 5/6/08, budget transfers for the current fiscal year (FY 08) to cover the unbudgeted expense for the winter snow and ice removal.

This will also likely be an under-budgeted item for next year.

Time: 3 minutes, 14 seconds



MP3 File

New Ladder Truck arrives next week

From the Franklin Finance Committee meeting on 5/6/08, Jeff Nutting talks of the new ladder truck (or aerial platform) being delivered next week. The committee approved the transfer of money for the first payment of the $869,000 total cost. $169,000 this year; $175,000 for each of the next four years.

The purchase and delivery of this truck had been delayed until the new firestation was open and ready to fit it.

TIme: 6 minutes, 57 seconds



MP3 File

Override Election Budget Approved

From the Finance Committee meeting 5/6/08, they approved the transfer of $8,000 to fund the override election on June 10th.

Time: 40 seconds




MP3 File


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

4 Corners Bldg for $2.5M

Live - FINCOM meeting 5/6/08

Per Jeff Nutting at the FINCOM meeting Tuesday evening, the Town Council will be considering a proposal to sell the Four Corners Building to WalGreen for an estimated $2.5 million.

The agenda item is for discussion only. If it does gain interest, it would comeback for a formal vote at the Town Council.

• The money after paying off the approx. $1.1M debt can only be used for a similar type capital asset.
• It can not be used for operational expenses.
• It could be used for paying down other building debt.