Present: S Whalen, J Roy, J Nutting, P Mullen, S Rohrbach, S Gagne, M Goodman, S Winslow, M Sabolinski, C Creedon, E Cafasso, T Powderly, S Mason, J Roche, P McIntyre, A McCall (Milford Daily News)
Absent: (Not completely clear who are the members and who are the other participants)
Scott Mason announced that the meeting is being recorded by the Franklin Matters website.
Jeff Roy opens with a goal to explain what the School Committee has done, folks here to answer questions in detail. To find out what is scheduled for the upcoming budget hearing.
Discussion on the unfair labor practice charge filed on Oct 9, 2009. The charge stemmed from the change made to the high school schedule without the teacher union participation in the agreement. Started negotiations Oct 14, 2009. Grievance filed, budget workshop held. In middle of negotiations with teachers union, full team effort. First time an attorney was used to conduct the negotiations. All conversations were conducted by and through counsel at the table.
Discussion on the most difficult and costly part of the school budget is the contract steps and lanes. 13 rows (years) down one side of the table and several lanes across from Bachelor degree up to Doctoral degree. The table itself is pretty universal across school districts. Until a couple of years ago, the tables were not published. DESE has posted them on line. It is an occasion to review the salary structure. The School Committee posed a table change with 8 levels and bonus criteria in Sep 2010. Negotiations continued and litigation continued. We were not getting anywhere. We were on a path that was not good for the district.
Discussion on negotiation tactics, what could be said, what was legally bound to be 'quiet'. The unfair labor practice was dropped due to the schedule being changed. Settled May 16th. Budget hearing on Feb 11, 2011. Budget hearing to FinCom on May 9, 2011. Jan 18, 2011 started discussion with teachers on increases. The SchCom was cognizant of the folks feeling uneasy about an increase. There was a number of iterations along the way and neither side could come to terms. On Jun 6, 2011 within a quarter of a percent but no movement on either side.
Discussion on the impact of the Jun 16 announcement on fire fighters getting their 7.5% increase to the negotiation status. The fire fighters matched what had already been done for the three prior years. Actually, it was less than others got for the time period. School Committee would have appreciated notice before the announcement. Communication among the boards recognized as room for improvement.
Discussion on the Budget hearing question about whether the increase was in the budget or not. Slides were prepared answering those very questions. Questions were not asked of the SchCom.
Jeff Roy: The fact of getting passed the unfair labor practice, getting the agreement on negotiations around the schedule should get some notice. These are historic. The next deal will be arrived at with interested based bargaining.
Q - If the 1% increase is not a COLA what is it?
Jeff Roy - It is an increase. It is recognition that will less teachers and more students, still performing at a high performance level. It is called "in good faith".
Steve Whalen - One of the themes for interest based bargaining is that there is interest in both sides. While I respect your decision, I can still disagree with it. I don't see how giving the increase for nothing other than an intent to bargain is in the interests of both sides.
Jeff Roy - It was the right thing to do at the right time.
Tina Powderly - To hear these things laid out was good. The policy is in your purview. No question about it. We still have a funding problem. The horse has left the barn and I don't really have a good answer.
Discussion around again on the Town Council budget hearing. Premise on what was being passed from SchCom to Town Council (which wasn't). Clarification about the question on COLA's was answered incorrectly by the Town Administrator and let be answered incorrectly by the SchCom. The School Committee is not coming back to the Budget or the Town Council looking for an increase in funding to cover the contract increase as the money was in the budget that was approved.
The Town Council had a policy and it was acknowledged by the School Committee as a disagreement.
Jim Roche - I'll have to take some blame for the budget. Budget vs. actual should be in the budget book.
Jeff Roy - our packet before each meeting is sent out to those who ask for it. The Milford Daily News gets a copy Franklin Matters gets a copy (and for the record, the packet has not been delivered for several months).
Cafasso - If there is an intent to cut the SchCom budget on Oct 26th, let's it get on the table.
Discussion goes around again. The process has been triggered. There are no 2 councilors who agree on what to do about this, so there is no decision on what will be done.
Jim Roche - questions on special revenue and how the money is used. What are the fund balances? What should be in there?
Jeff Roy - fund balances are part of the packet. The funds are out there and available anytime you want to know. It has taken me seven or eight years to understand the end of year report and I won't profess to be an expert on it.
Jim Roche - Clarification is what is looked for. There are many moving parts. It is a pretty confusing budget.
Jeff Nutting - it is part of every budget in the Commonwealth, it is not something everyone sees or votes on.
Jeff Roy - the reporting requirements are incredible. Getting Miriam Goodman on board has helped tremendously.
Jim Roche - I remember one year where there was one line item for the School budget and I voted 'no' on it cause I couldn't tell what was in it. Things have improved a great deal. We need questions to be raised and answered easily.
Scott Mason - I have asked each councilor to consider the issue and what questions they would have. I will not be getting their input collectively as it would violate open meeting law before the meeting.
Jeff Roy - What would you like to prepare for the meeting? would you like a presentation? SchCom members to answer questions?
Scott Mason - Yes, all of the above. The concern of the Council is "how the increase is going to be funded on a go forward basis?"
No other questions so the meeting has ended.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Weekly summary
There is a weekly summary available. If you want to stay up with the news in one weekly dose, instead of the daily dose, you have this option.
You can visit Franklin Matters Weekly and subscribe via email or RSS feed.
The summary for the past week is found here
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-ending-oct-16-2011.html
You can visit Franklin Matters Weekly and subscribe via email or RSS feed.
The summary for the past week is found here
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-ending-oct-16-2011.html
In the News - Brunelli, hair salon, NCLB, local aid
Meet the Franklin Candidate: Philip Brunelli, Board of Health
Educators welcome No Child Left Behind reform plan
While no one from Franklin was mentioned in the No Child Left Behind article, we do find the following in an article on the increase in local aid coming from the Commonwealth that was just announced:
Franklin Town Council Vice Chairman Stephen Whalen said snow removal could be a good use for the money. Whalen cautioned that it should not be used for operating expenses or to pay salaries.
"I kind of cringe when we get unexpected sources of funding from the state or any other entity," Whalen said. "I think it fuels the belief among some voters that whenever there's a shortfall in the operating budget, money will be quote-unquote found. It's very difficult to predict when the Legislature may throw a bone like this to the town."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1876835125/Lawmakers-see-boost-in-local-aid#ixzz1b1wfhQbT
Sunday, October 16, 2011
World Food Day - 2011
"Never before has man had such capacity to control his own environment, to end thirst and hunger, to conquer poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and massive human misery."~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy, before the UN General Assembly
Jeremy Irons on getting mad
Sign the petition to end hunger here
http://www.1billionhungry.org/
This Sunday, around your table in Franklin, have a conversation on where your food came from.
Join Oxfam America and make this World Food Day, Sunday October 16th, a cause for celebration and action! When we sit down to dinner every day, rarely do we realize that our meal depends on a global system that involves people both next door and across oceans. This World Food Day, Oxfam America is teaming up with allies across the USA and around the globe to encourage people to take a simple yet profound action. We’re asking you and thousands of others to dedicate your Sunday Dinner on October 16th to a conversation about where your food comes from, who is behind its cultivation and how we can make the food system more just and sustainable. Just click on www.oxfamamerica.org/worldfoodday We are all tied to a global food system that is broken. Yet there is a strong and growing movement of individuals and organizations working to repair and improve the system. In a world facing the challenges of the current famine in East Africa, constrained land and water, and an erratic climate, one of the best ways to combat global food insecurity is to invest in farmers and remove the barriers that limit their productivity. Creating this awareness is what a World Food Day Sunday Dinner is all about.
Desmond Tutu for World Food Day 2011 talks briefly in this video:
Join the many in Franklin looking to make a difference locally. Key among the groups making an effort in this area are the Franklin Food Pantry, the Community Gardens, the Farmers Market (Fridays on the Town Common) with help from the YMCA and the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation.
.
Watery rain gardens
Yes, the rain gardens did catch some water.
The Parmenter School had some rain gardens installed as part of the effort to remove phosphorus from the Charles River. By catching the water and filtering it through some natural materials, the intent is to remove the phosphorous before it gets into the tributaries and into the Charles River. Additional rain gardens can be seen along the edge of the parking lot on Wachusett St for the ball fields at Fletcher Field.
Additional photos showing the construction of the rain gardens can be found here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/4935285138/in/photostream/
and here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/4934685201/in/photostream/
The Parmenter School had some rain gardens installed as part of the effort to remove phosphorus from the Charles River. By catching the water and filtering it through some natural materials, the intent is to remove the phosphorous before it gets into the tributaries and into the Charles River. Additional rain gardens can be seen along the edge of the parking lot on Wachusett St for the ball fields at Fletcher Field.
Additional photos showing the construction of the rain gardens can be found here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/4935285138/in/photostream/
and here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/4934685201/in/photostream/
"It isn't something you can do overnight"
"It's good to get new ideas in there," said Sean Donahue, a 23-year-old first-time candidate for School Committee. "You have people who have been there for a really long time. I think it's just good to have new people, coming in with those new ideas."
The full seven-member School Committee is up for election, with five incumbents running for their seats plus three fresh faces, as is the full nine-member Town Council, which has six incumbents running with six candidates who did not serve on the council in this last, two-year term.
Three people are running for the two open seats on the Board of Health, only one of whom is an incumbent, all three incumbent constables are vying with two potential newcomers for their positions, and Jim Dacey, who has been the town's treasurer-collector for the past 12 years, has an opponent in former Planning Board member Mark Denommee.
"There could be so much gained from having a new voice," said Denommee, who added that having someone in a position for such a long time "leads to some sort of complacency. We need a new set of eyes and a new set of ears in the Town Hall of Franklin."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1876835019/Vast-field-of-candidates-in-Franklin#ixzz1awYNlGZe
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Library book sale: today - 9:00 to 4:00
The Friends of Franklin Library are holding their book sale today at the DPW garage off Hayward St.
Bring a donation for the Franklin Food Pantry and you get a coupon for a book (up to $1).
There are lots of books laid out on tables
The prices of books are shown on signs in each book section
I know at least one kindergarten teacher who finds some good additions to the school library
Giraffes can't dance? Why not?
If you are looking for a good laugh, there is a section of books for you!
Looking to travel? Check out this section
Books on tape to listen to for your commute.
Pets and nature
"Beyond risk" is one title about climbing shear rock walls in the Sports and Hobbies section
Biographies of Barbara Bush and Bill Clinton sit among the selection
And last but not least, the Friends of the Franklin Library thank their sponsors!
Enjoy!
Bring a donation for the Franklin Food Pantry and you get a coupon for a book (up to $1).
There are lots of books laid out on tables
The prices of books are shown on signs in each book section
I know at least one kindergarten teacher who finds some good additions to the school library
Giraffes can't dance? Why not?
If you are looking for a good laugh, there is a section of books for you!
Looking to travel? Check out this section
Books on tape to listen to for your commute.
Pets and nature
"Beyond risk" is one title about climbing shear rock walls in the Sports and Hobbies section
Biographies of Barbara Bush and Bill Clinton sit among the selection
And last but not least, the Friends of the Franklin Library thank their sponsors!
Enjoy!
In the News - Ranieri
Meet the Franklin Candidate: Donald Ranieri Jr., Board of Health
LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE: OCTOBER 19, 2011 at 8:00pm at the Town Clerk’s Office, First Floor, 355 East Central Street, Municipal Building.
Absentee Ballot Information: Absentee ballots are now available in the Town Clerk’s office. A registered voter who will be unable to vote at the polls on election day due to the following reasons may vote absentee up to 12:00 noon Monday, November 7, 2011:
(1) absence from your city or town during normal polling hours; or
(2) physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or
(3) religious belief.
All absentee requests must be made in writing with an original signature (no faxes or e-mails are accepted). If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call Deborah L. Pellegri, Town Clerk, at 508-520-4900
Route 2 Repairs Update, Detour Map
If you were thinking of heading west to do some foliage viewing, consider the Route 2 repairs due to Tropical Storm Irene.
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 10/13/11
As seen at left in North Adams and below in Florida, work is well underway to repair the man-made roadway slopes, including excavation and relocation of utilities.
MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey at the end of September announced that work to reconstruct the six-mile section of Route 2 linking North Adams, Florida, Savoy, and Charlemont would proceed on an expedited schedule under an accelerated bidding process.
The roadway is expected to re-open to traffic by mid-December.
MassDOT has assembled a map showing the closed portion of Route 2 that suffered significant damage due to flooding from Tropical Storm Irene and outlining the current posted detour.
Route 2 is closed from Mile Marker 21.6 in Florida to Mile Marker 27.5 in Charlemont.
MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DePaola said that because of the combination of roadway washout and substantial damage to retaining walls and man-made slopes, MassDOT is using an innovative approach by separating the repairs into multiple jobs that can proceed simultaneously to safely reduce the work timeline.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Open House Walnut Hill Farm Plainville MA 10/15/2011 2-4
Looking for a country afternoon around horses? This might be for you!
Walnut Hill Farm Open House
Hosted by Merrill Lynch
Nothing could be better than a fall Saturday afternoon in the country! Come join us for a wonderful afternoon at Walnut Hill Farm on October 15 from 2:00 to 4:oo.
Kellie Monahan Head trainer and owner of Walnut Hill Farm and Bill Lippincott of Merrill Lynch will be your hosts for the afternoon.
Come see the state-of-the-art equestrian facility situated on 15 beautiful acres of grassy paddocks. New this fall is the Derby Field. Pony rides for the kids at 2:00, Show jumping at 3:00, tour the barns anytime and get to know some of the farms storied residents! To keep you toasty warm enjoy a hot cup of mulled cider.
Walnut Hill farm is located at 86 Walnut Street Plainville MA. See you rain or Shine!
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.
Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks. Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.
Investment products:
Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.
William C. Lippincott
Financial Advisor
Merrill Lynch
Global Wealth Management
One Citizens Plaza, Suite 1000
Providence, RI 02903
401-863-8726, Direct
401-863-8718, Fax
http://fa.ml.com/william.lippincott
Read our latest issue of Merrill Lynch Advisor magazine:
Licensed Mortgage Broker
NMLS #697785
Emergency Alert System (EAS) test - Nov 9
The Franklin Police sent out an alert today:
EAS Test Press Release
Emergency Alert System (EAS). The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday,November 9 at 2 p.m. eastern time and may last up to three and a half minutes. The public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test."
EAS Test Press Release
Friday, October 14, 2011
Farmer's Market: noon to 6:00 PM
Franklin Farmers Market, Friday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Located on the Town Common
Reminder that the Farmers' Market now accepts SNAP dollars and can double your purchasing power.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/07/franklin-farmers-market-doubles-food.html
Visit the Franklin Food Pantry tent at the Farmers' Market for details.
Help blind pedestrians while you drive
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services by Paulette Song on 10/13/11
By MCB Commissioner Janet LaBreck
The white cane is a symbol of independence reflecting a blind person's ability to travel independently. As part of White Cane Day on October 15, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) and the Department of Transportation are partnering in a campaign to remind motorists that they should come to a complete stop when they see a pedestrian with a white cane or a guide dog crossing the street.
We are very pleased to promote White Cane Safety in partnership with Transportation. These eight billboards, placed along highways and at key traffic points throughout the Commonwealth, provide timely information to drivers about pedestrian safety. Independence in travel is crucial for people who are blind to safely go to work, appointments, community and recreational activities."
Communities where digital billboards are running White Cane awareness messages include: Chicopee (I-90), Foxboro (Rt. 1), New Bedford (Rt. 195), Fall River (Rt. 195), Medford (I-93), Stoneham (I-93) and Lawrence (Rt. 495). These billboards provide safety reminders to motorists when visually-impaired individuals are crossing streets.
At the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, we also promote the following 'Top 10' list of things motorists should not do when seeing a pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog at street crossings.
10. Don't stop your car more then five feet from the crosswalk line. A visually-impaired person might think that there's something between the crosswalk and your car if you stop so far back. The expectation for all pedestrians is that a car stops directly behind, or fairly close, to the crosswalk.
9. Don't yell out, "It's ok to cross!" This may cause confusion to a pedestrian, particularly if another driver pulls out in front of your vehicle.
8. Don't get impatient when waiting for a visually-impaired pedestrian to cross. If a pedestrian places a long cane into the street, it usually indicates he or she will begin a crossing. If the cane traveler takes a step back & pulls back the cane from the curb, it usually indicates the person will not be crossing at that time.
7. Don't consider a 'rolling' stop as a complete stop. A stop sign means STOP!
6. Don't turn right on red without coming to a full stop and looking for pedestrians. The Right on Red Law requires drivers to come to a complete stop prior to making a right turn.
5. Don't fail to stop for pedestrians at all crosswalks whether or not there is a traffic signal or stop sign. Come to a full and complete stop.
4. Don't stop your car in the middle of the crosswalk.
3. Don't pass another car that has stopped and waiting for pedestrians to cross the street.
2. Don't wave to pedestrians who are using a white cane or guide dog to indicate that you are waiting for them to cross. They CAN NOT see you.
1. Don't honk!
As we acknowledge White Cane Safety and promote awareness among motorists about driving when in the proximity of the visually-impaired, I invite you to visit the MCB website to find out more, or contact the Orientation & Mobility Department at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind: 1-800-392-6450.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Attention Downtown Franklin Businesses: Holiday Stroll coming up in Dec
2011 Holiday Stroll Letter to Businesses
If you don't have a Facebook account you can download and print the file from here.
This was originally posted on the Franklin Downtown Partnership website
If you don't have a Facebook account you can download and print the file from here.
This was originally posted on the Franklin Downtown Partnership website
SNETT Trail Clean-Up Day
What is SNETT? SNETT is the Southern New England Trunk Trail, a former rail road that is being converted to a biking/walking trail. In Franklin, it starts along Grove St and runs to Bellingham and eventually to Palmer.An email from the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee alerts us to this trail clean up in Bellingham.
Kathy Wicks is organizing a trail clean-up day on the SNETT in Bellingham at the Lake St crossing on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 8:00 am to Noon. Please see the details below and contact Kathy at kwicks34@comcast.net if you have any questions.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Subject: Re: Clean Up Day
Details are:
Trail Workday on the SNETT at Lake St. crossing in Bellingham, Saturday November 5th 8AM- Noon, rain date is 11/19.
Volunteers should bring work gloves as much of the debris is construction material.
Wheelbarrows would be helpful for hauling, I plan to bring 2.
Shovels and heavy rakes if you have them.
I have someone who will take away any metal but we still need a dumpster, still hopeful Bellingham will help with this. Ron mentioned if we can't get one we can haul the stuff to his dumpster in Foxboro.
For recycleable trash such as plastic bottles I will bring large plastic bags, these can go to the recycling center in Bellingham.
I appreciate your helping with this.
Thank you.
Kathy
Taste of the Region - Oct 25th
|
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703 |
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Library book sale: Sat 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Friends of Franklin will hold their fall book sale this weekend.
In conjunction with the book sale, there will be a collection of dry goods for the Franklin Food Pantry
If you are looking to give something the Food Pantry has on the current needs list, the list can be found here
The book sale will be held at the DPW garage off Hayward St
View Larger Map
In conjunction with the book sale, there will be a collection of dry goods for the Franklin Food Pantry
If you are looking to give something the Food Pantry has on the current needs list, the list can be found here
The book sale will be held at the DPW garage off Hayward St
View Larger Map
Race to Nowhere
The Franklin Public Schools, in conjunction with the Joint Parent Communication Councils of Franklin, is hosting a screening of the film Race to Nowhere on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 7 p.m.
The film will play at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School on Oak Street. A panel discussion will follow the screening.
Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people who have been pushed to the brink and educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills needed for the global economy, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic running rampant in our schools. The film is the product of Vicki Abeles, a concerned mother turned filmmaker, who aims her camera at the culture of hollow achievement and pressure to perform that has invaded America’s schools. As Abeles notes, “it is destroying our children’s love of learning and feeding an epidemic of unprepared, disengaged, and unhealthy students.” The film is a call to families, educators, experts and policy makers to examine current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become the healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens in the 21st century. You can learn more about the film athttp://www.racetonowhere.com/.
The event is free and open to the general public. However, those who wish to attend the screening must register online for tickets at http://
The film will play at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School on Oak Street. A panel discussion will follow the screening.
Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people who have been pushed to the brink and educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills needed for the global economy, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic running rampant in our schools. The film is the product of Vicki Abeles, a concerned mother turned filmmaker, who aims her camera at the culture of hollow achievement and pressure to perform that has invaded America’s schools. As Abeles notes, “it is destroying our children’s love of learning and feeding an epidemic of unprepared, disengaged, and unhealthy students.” The film is a call to families, educators, experts and policy makers to examine current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become the healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens in the 21st century. You can learn more about the film athttp://www.racetonowhere.com/.
The event is free and open to the general public. However, those who wish to attend the screening must register online for tickets at http://
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Finance Committee - 10/11/11
I chose to "follow the money" and attended the Finance Committee (FinCom) meeting on Tuesday evening. It was the first time that the FinCom met this fiscal year. The committee is now nine members (down from eleven) due to the charter change passed in 2009. The committee members were sworn in by the Town Clerk and then set their organization for this fiscal year.
Jim Roche continues as Chair.
Chris Quinn was voted as Vice Chair.
Phyllis Messere was elected Clerk.
Jeff Nutting, Susan Gagne and Jim Dacey participated to help inform the new committee of the various financial process, procedures and issues that the FinCom will be facing.
Several action items were discussed in detail to provide some background for the new members before they voted. The details for the meeting are contained in the following links.
After the meeting, the committee took a new photo to update their page on the Franklin website. The listing of members will also be updated to show the current membership.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Finance/index
Jim Roche continues as Chair.
Chris Quinn was voted as Vice Chair.
Phyllis Messere was elected Clerk.
Jeff Nutting, Susan Gagne and Jim Dacey participated to help inform the new committee of the various financial process, procedures and issues that the FinCom will be facing.
Several action items were discussed in detail to provide some background for the new members before they voted. The details for the meeting are contained in the following links.
After the meeting, the committee took a new photo to update their page on the Franklin website. The listing of members will also be updated to show the current membership.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Finance/index
"I see growth and I see improvement"
Each of the schools, Remington, Horace Mann, and Annie Sullivan, had similar struggles with their annual yearly progress goals under the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System this past year. None of them met their math or special education and low-income student requirements.
The principals noted that this failure was not a reflection of the school system or their students, but rather somewhat unrealistic goals on the part of the state for high-performing schools like Franklin.
"When you're in a successful district, once you get into that 90th percentile, (it becomes harder)," said Paul Peri, principal of Remington Middle School. Peri added that Franklin is in the top two levels of seven that the state sets.
"The way the formula is set up ... the better you do, the harder it is to reach that goal," said Beth Witcoff, principal at Annie Sullivan Middle School.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1092316431/Franklin-board-extends-superintendents-contract#ixzz1aYhM5wlZ
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Live reporting - FinCom - Action items and closing
Partridge St Culvert Emergency Repairs - $150,000
funding: raise and appropriate (until the tax rate is set)
already passed by Council
NuStyle - $165,000 - a placeholder for the correct amount
Jeff re-tells the story of the building
hazardous waste site or brownfield, out to bid to demolish the site
bids are being opened on Oct 27th, wants to get the item to the Council in November
once the building is demolished, we can sell the property, maybe make a little, maybe not
this amount is in addition to the $200,000 from the EPA
couple of weeks to sign contract, assuming no bid protest
so maybe in the winter
motion to raise and appropriate, passed 9-0
Roads - $400,000
Funding: raise and appropriate (Hotel/Meal Tax)
don't have enough from other sources to cover our 200 miles of roads
the money in the open space account is sitting there
DelCarte property could be a use for it but the Council has chosen so far not to do so
suggestion to use the current year's new revenue for the purpose of repairing the roads
Daniels and Lincoln are scheduled for a new water line in 2013
master 'road' spreadsheet to be updated now after the construction has been mostly completed on the roads
do have a game plan based upon a 2000 study of the water system
cast iron pipes are really old, mostly in the downtown sections
goal is to do 2-3 miles every year and to eventually replace the entire system over the years
in the long run the only way to overcome this is with a dedicated revenue source, and that is not on the table anytime soon
)Jeff told story on Bellingham got the Pulaski Blvd project over our Pleasant St project (estimated at $9M)
motion to raise and appropriate, passed 9-0
OPEB Actuary Study - $12,500
Funding from free cash
unfunded liability was last estimated at $79M, need the study to find out what it currently
need to set up an irrevocable trust so that the money currently in hand can be invested and generate a good return (another town did an override to bring their fund to fully funded -at $3M per year)
looking also to get the money
motion to approve use from free cash, passed 9-0
Fire Salaries - $85,000
see letter from Fire Chief
vacancy now at a fire fighter position due to the move up of folks to replace the Captain replacing the Chief
when we had 12 guys on a shift, it wasn't an issue to get backfills, now that we have 11 guys on a shift it becomes more critical. Everybody has been around long enough to get the top vacation amount so spread it around and there is someone out all the time
new firefighter gets 20 weeks of training before going to fight a fire
this amount is not the full amount of the Chief's letter, being conservative
firefighting is an insurance policy, it depends upon how big a deductible you want
motion to raise and appropriate, passed 9-0
Transfers
Planning Board salaries - $8,000
Board of Health salaries - $9,000
restoring part-time, non-benefit positions as the work is there and required
the positions had been full-time and moved a couple of years ago to part-time
then the people left so the positions were vacant
two motions to approve transfers, passed 9-0 for both
UnPaid Bills
Prior year bills - from Library/Recreation $716.94 from FY 2012 into prior year budget
motion to approve transfer, passed 9-0
Discussion items
Budget workshop
Open Meeting law - reminders on use of email for discussion (no) can share info but not get into a debate
Finance Committee handbook on CD
Annual meeting of Town Finance Committees (Oct 15th)
staggered terms being implemented, some for one year now
re-opening this year's budget
a joint budget subcommittee meeting
Town Council, FinCom and SchCom will be meeting
more to come on this, nothing to do just now
getting into the budget vs. actual to help prepare
SchCom funding of the teach contract was not one time money, it was recurring funding
Jeff Nutting provided an update on the high school design, now awaiting word from MSBA on size of the school, model school already built four times, can move very quickly
can have designed for approval for Jan 2012, if MSBA approves then
the Council would have 120 days to get a vote to the voters
if missing the Jan timeline, it would slip 2 months as they only meet every 2 months
MSBA would pay about 59% of the total, Franklin would contribute to the remainder
Building Committee about to put up 'frequently asked questions' on Franklin website
another big item on the agenda will be storm water
due to a pending EPA edict, no funding source to take on the work
capital requirements estimated at $75M, likely to be more like $100M
do we establish a storm water utility? how does that work?
the EPA has not yet finalized their regulation, once they do, we'll know the timeline
we have 1600 catch basins, probably cleaned 200
we have killed more trees with printing that the EPA would like
Fiscal 2013 budget around the corner, dept head requests coming in Dec, review in Jan/Feb
State Aid numbers comes in Mar, so we'll know the gap
and can budget accordingly
Long Range Fiscal Planning Committee is looking at roads and OPEB
an engineering study is being done on the dams, could go to bid next spring
has the $1.3M estimate gone up or down, don't know, may now next spring
a big deal but less than the new school or budget or OPEB or storm water issues
3.5% funding available within the budget for capacity to borrow and without asking the voters
if the new school debt exclusion passes, the funding ($1.4M) for that would go into the debt exclusion bucket and we would have more capacity within the 3.5% of our plan
space for DPW as some equipment is currently kept at the high school
Jim Dacey -
opportunity to refund 2 bonds
callable in 2012-2013
opportunity to save about 400,000 in interest cost spread over several years
won't see lot each year, but it does add up to 400,000 over the course of this opportunity
Council needs to approve authorization to refinance
Live reporting - Finance Committee - 10/11/11
Present: L Huempher, P Goldsmith, P Messere, S Dewsnap, T Smith, J Roche, C Quinn, M Dufour, B Feldman (late) - J Nutting, J Dacey, S Gagner
Absent: none
Debbie Pellegri - swore in the committee members present
meeting called to order
meeting being recorded by Franklin Matters
motion to accept minutes of May 2, passed 5-0, 3 abstain
motion to accept minutes of May 3, passed 5-0, 3 abstain
motion to accept minutes of May 5, passed 3-0, 4 abstain
motion to accept minutes of May 9, passed 5-0, 3 abstain
re-organization; to re-elect Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk
Roche, nominated to be Chair - seconded, passed 8-0
Quinn, nominated to be Vice Chair, passed 8-0
Meserve, nominated to be Clark, passed 8-0
Jeff Nutting, Susan Gagner, Jim Dacey - the finance team
B Feldman joined meeting (he got sworn in before coming into the meeting)
$100 million dollar business, call if you have questions
Town Admin submits budget, FinCom makes recommendation, Town Council makes their final decision
Fiscal policies on various matters, one for stabilization fund to be about 5% of budget
getting about 2.5-3 percent interest today, has been more in the past
Jeff provided an overview on the status of the general accounts
"free cash" revenues in excess of those budgeted, and expenses less than those budgeted
averages about 2.7M has been as high as 7M
about 2-3% of budget, it is not free
used for capital budget, some held in reserve (for snow/ice etc.)
don't use free cash to balance the budget
capital budget for recurring expenses like police cars, equipment, etc.
fiscal year, Jul to Jun
Free cash calculated from prior year budget, books closed at June 30th, then certified by State before being used locally
a big chunk is kept for snow/ice, that budget has been bumped up gradually
what gets cut first in the budget, capital?
free cash was used during the 90's to balance the budget, Jeff weaned us off that over 2-3 years after he came in
competing interests with the budget, weigh the choices, is it reasonable and rational?
Absent: none
Debbie Pellegri - swore in the committee members present
meeting called to order
meeting being recorded by Franklin Matters
motion to accept minutes of May 2, passed 5-0, 3 abstain
motion to accept minutes of May 3, passed 5-0, 3 abstain
motion to accept minutes of May 5, passed 3-0, 4 abstain
motion to accept minutes of May 9, passed 5-0, 3 abstain
re-organization; to re-elect Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk
Roche, nominated to be Chair - seconded, passed 8-0
Quinn, nominated to be Vice Chair, passed 8-0
Meserve, nominated to be Clark, passed 8-0
Jeff Nutting, Susan Gagner, Jim Dacey - the finance team
B Feldman joined meeting (he got sworn in before coming into the meeting)
$100 million dollar business, call if you have questions
Town Admin submits budget, FinCom makes recommendation, Town Council makes their final decision
Fiscal policies on various matters, one for stabilization fund to be about 5% of budget
getting about 2.5-3 percent interest today, has been more in the past
Jeff provided an overview on the status of the general accounts
"free cash" revenues in excess of those budgeted, and expenses less than those budgeted
averages about 2.7M has been as high as 7M
about 2-3% of budget, it is not free
used for capital budget, some held in reserve (for snow/ice etc.)
don't use free cash to balance the budget
capital budget for recurring expenses like police cars, equipment, etc.
fiscal year, Jul to Jun
Free cash calculated from prior year budget, books closed at June 30th, then certified by State before being used locally
a big chunk is kept for snow/ice, that budget has been bumped up gradually
what gets cut first in the budget, capital?
free cash was used during the 90's to balance the budget, Jeff weaned us off that over 2-3 years after he came in
competing interests with the budget, weigh the choices, is it reasonable and rational?
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