Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08
Time: 45 seconds
MP3 File
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Councilor Doak (audio)
Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08
TIme: 2 minutes, 10 seconds
MP3 File
TIme: 2 minutes, 10 seconds
MP3 File
Councilor Zollo (Audio)
Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08
Time: 2 minutes, 33 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 2 minutes, 33 seconds
MP3 File
Councilor Whalen (audio)
Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08
Time: 1 minute, 56 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 1 minute, 56 seconds
MP3 File
Other Action Items (audio)
From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, acceptence of $5,000 from the Friends of Franklin Public Library, discussion and vote on veterans benefits, discussion and move to second reading the utility rate change
Time: 6 minutes, 42 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 6 minutes, 42 seconds
MP3 File
Override Date 6/10/08 (audio)
From the Franklin Town Council meeting on 4/30/08, the discussion on the override date (6/10/08), Tuesday vs. Saturday, and absentee ballot information.
Councilors Whalen and Mason questioned Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri on Tuesday/Saturday
Time: 5 minutes, 11 seconds
MP3 File
Councilors Whalen and Mason questioned Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri on Tuesday/Saturday
Time: 5 minutes, 11 seconds
MP3 File
Town Council Mtg Summary 4/30/08
The listing here is in the reverse chronological order of how the segments occured during the course of the meeting.
Final Councilor comments (audio)
Councilor Pfeffer (audio)
Councilor Doak (audio)
Councilor Zollo (Audio)
Councilor Vallee (audio)
Councilor Whalen (audio)
Other Action Items (audio)
Override Date 6/10/08 (audio)
Override Amount (audio)
Citizen Comments - Chandler Creedon (audio)
June 10th - $2.8 Million - Yes/No for Franklin's s...
Live at the Town Council meeting 4/30/08
Town Council Agenda for April 30th 6:00 PM
Final Councilor comments (audio)
Councilor Pfeffer (audio)
Councilor Doak (audio)
Councilor Zollo (Audio)
Councilor Vallee (audio)
Councilor Whalen (audio)
Other Action Items (audio)
Override Date 6/10/08 (audio)
Override Amount (audio)
Citizen Comments - Chandler Creedon (audio)
June 10th - $2.8 Million - Yes/No for Franklin's s...
Live at the Town Council meeting 4/30/08
Town Council Agenda for April 30th 6:00 PM
Override Amount (audio)
From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, the council spent all of one minute reading and voting on the override amount with NO discussion.
Override passed with a 7-1 vote. Pfeffer voted no, McGann was absent.
Time: 1 minute, 7 seconds
MP3 File
Override passed with a 7-1 vote. Pfeffer voted no, McGann was absent.
Time: 1 minute, 7 seconds
MP3 File
Citizen Comments - Chandler Creedon (audio)
From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, Chandler Creedon, President of the Franklin Education Association (fondly referred to as the teacher's union) speaks to clarify some misinformation.
Time: 1 minute, 31 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 1 minute, 31 seconds
MP3 File
June 10th - $2.8 Million - Yes/No for Franklin's schools
The choice is now in the hands of the voters.
Make it an informed vote:
If you will be out of town on the 10th, apply for an absentee ballot.
There is no reason why you should not vote.
How you vote is up to you!
Make it an informed vote:
- Visit here often for informational updates
- Read the news papers
- Talk with your neighbors
If you will be out of town on the 10th, apply for an absentee ballot.
There is no reason why you should not vote.
How you vote is up to you!
Live at the Town Council meeting 4/30/08
6:00 PM and a few folks are not here yet
------------
Started at 6:05
Proclamation for municipal clerk's week
-------------
Chandler Creedon, statement repeated from School Committee Citizen Comment
(recording to be posted when time permits)
clarification on teacher health insurance information that had been printed and circulated erroneously
-------------
Updated 6:11
override question -> $2.8M
no discussion, 7-1 passed
override date - 6/10/08, Tuesday
discussion on choice of Tuesday vs. Saturday
only once in last 24 years have there been an election on a Saturday
per Debbie Pellegri
absentee ballot process
available by request, can vote at the office once the ballots
or via mail
registration required 20 days prior to the 10th
approved unanimously
--------------
Approved donation from Friends of Franklin Library
unanimous
---------------
updated 6:20
discussion on veterans benefits
town obligated to pay, reimbursed by state at 75% in following year
money being switched from town health insurance due to health coverage changes
unanimously approved
---------------
updated 6:25
moving amendment to second reading
passed unanimously
--------------
4 corners building status on next week's council agenda for discussion
---------------
Councilor Comments
Whalen encourage to spread word, need to get the vote out
Vallee claims the Town Council has not sponsored the override
Zollo put the vote to the people, respect the vote of the people
regardless of the outcome, the voter turnout should be 80-90%
before voting, be informed, ask the right questions
Doak now it is up to the residents, everybody gets one vote
it is no secret that costs are rising faster than revenues
it is no one's fault, it is not that no one did their job
it costs more to provide quality services
why is the amount so high? we have been tapping the stabilization fund
we can no longer do that
Pfeffer does not support the override, but will not work against it
Nutting will refresh to elected officials the guidelines around their conduct during the election
--------------
motion to adjourn at 6:35
------------
Started at 6:05
Proclamation for municipal clerk's week
-------------
Chandler Creedon, statement repeated from School Committee Citizen Comment
(recording to be posted when time permits)
clarification on teacher health insurance information that had been printed and circulated erroneously
-------------
Updated 6:11
override question -> $2.8M
no discussion, 7-1 passed
override date - 6/10/08, Tuesday
discussion on choice of Tuesday vs. Saturday
only once in last 24 years have there been an election on a Saturday
per Debbie Pellegri
absentee ballot process
available by request, can vote at the office once the ballots
or via mail
registration required 20 days prior to the 10th
approved unanimously
--------------
Approved donation from Friends of Franklin Library
unanimous
---------------
updated 6:20
discussion on veterans benefits
town obligated to pay, reimbursed by state at 75% in following year
money being switched from town health insurance due to health coverage changes
unanimously approved
---------------
updated 6:25
moving amendment to second reading
passed unanimously
--------------
4 corners building status on next week's council agenda for discussion
---------------
Councilor Comments
Whalen encourage to spread word, need to get the vote out
Vallee claims the Town Council has not sponsored the override
Zollo put the vote to the people, respect the vote of the people
regardless of the outcome, the voter turnout should be 80-90%
before voting, be informed, ask the right questions
Doak now it is up to the residents, everybody gets one vote
it is no secret that costs are rising faster than revenues
it is no one's fault, it is not that no one did their job
it costs more to provide quality services
why is the amount so high? we have been tapping the stabilization fund
we can no longer do that
Pfeffer does not support the override, but will not work against it
Nutting will refresh to elected officials the guidelines around their conduct during the election
--------------
motion to adjourn at 6:35
In the News - School Committee override options
By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff
GHS
Posted Apr 30, 2008 @ 12:29 AM
FRANKLIN —
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
GHS
Posted Apr 30, 2008 @ 12:29 AM
FRANKLIN —
The School Committee last night agreed to present the town with two override scenarios - one for $3.1 million, the other for $2.8 million plus Medicaid reimbursement money. Both would enable the board to keep teachers, staff and programs intact next year, Superintendent Wayne Ogden said.
The School Committee's budget subcommittee had planned to seek a $3.3
million override question to be placed on a June ballot, but Paul Funk, the
interim finance director for schools, announced last night the district has
$180,000 more in its budget than he previously calculated.The money was undetected because of a Microsoft Excel error in which the software did not subtract athletic revenues, Funk said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Live from the school committee meeting 4/29/08
meeting resumes from a brief break with a discussion on the override amount
options from budget subcommittee
1 - $3.1 M
2 - $2.8 M if the town restores the Medicaid funding
discussion on Medicaid data capture
discussion on Arlington plan, the 3-5 year plan upon which an override would be based and then not to come back during that period
decision to go forward with the larger level service amount
--------------------
1. I recommend FY2008 Budget Transfers as detailed. (approved in meeting earlier)
2. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($5286.00 and $200.00) for field trips for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1500.00 from the Oak Street PCC for the Oak Street Gift account for 2 field trips.
4. I recommend acceptance of the donations totaling $5,030.00 for the Friends and Family of Katie Streeter Best Buddies Scholarship to be awarded to a FHS senior who has participated in the Best Buddies Program.
5. I recommend approval of the Annie Sullivan Middle School’s 8th Grade Washington, DC Trip planned for May 23 – 25, 2008.
6. I recommend approval of the Remington Middle School 8th Grade math trip to Providence Place Mall on May 2, 2008.
action items were approved unanimously. The Remington vote had one abstention.
--------------------
Wayne talking talking about some discussion in town about closing the Davis Thayer school. The space subcommittee is still working. The 19 portables will require replacement shortly. Closing that building would be a mistake. The 19 portable classrooms have more capacity than the Davis Thayer building. Putting 300 Davis Thayer students and putting them elsewhere would be a major mess to re-district. Can not do so right now.
--------------------
subcommittee reports
(see recordings)
--------------------
July 8th
August 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
------------------
motion to adjourn at 10:35 PM
options from budget subcommittee
1 - $3.1 M
2 - $2.8 M if the town restores the Medicaid funding
discussion on Medicaid data capture
discussion on Arlington plan, the 3-5 year plan upon which an override would be based and then not to come back during that period
decision to go forward with the larger level service amount
--------------------
1. I recommend FY2008 Budget Transfers as detailed. (approved in meeting earlier)
2. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($5286.00 and $200.00) for field trips for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1500.00 from the Oak Street PCC for the Oak Street Gift account for 2 field trips.
4. I recommend acceptance of the donations totaling $5,030.00 for the Friends and Family of Katie Streeter Best Buddies Scholarship to be awarded to a FHS senior who has participated in the Best Buddies Program.
5. I recommend approval of the Annie Sullivan Middle School’s 8th Grade Washington, DC Trip planned for May 23 – 25, 2008.
6. I recommend approval of the Remington Middle School 8th Grade math trip to Providence Place Mall on May 2, 2008.
action items were approved unanimously. The Remington vote had one abstention.
--------------------
Wayne talking talking about some discussion in town about closing the Davis Thayer school. The space subcommittee is still working. The 19 portables will require replacement shortly. Closing that building would be a mistake. The 19 portable classrooms have more capacity than the Davis Thayer building. Putting 300 Davis Thayer students and putting them elsewhere would be a major mess to re-district. Can not do so right now.
--------------------
subcommittee reports
(see recordings)
--------------------
July 8th
August 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
------------------
motion to adjourn at 10:35 PM
Live from the School Committee meeting - facility consolidation
Jeff Nutting opening comments
proposal made last year but put on hold last year due to override and other items
reiterates the proposal points made previously
bigger the pool, the more flexibility
trades re-assigned to Mike D'Angelo
focus on school and education not the facilities
coordination of safety training
can't say we will save any money
in long run will be looking to add folks to the facilities department
should move forward, trial basis for three years
all involved in Memo of Understanding
work well together on a wide variety of issues
-----------------------
Jeff Roy
principals need to maintain control and autonomy over their buildings
referenced an appellate case in MA that the School Committee does not have right in this area, the state has defined that to be for the principals
13 page memo
-----------------------
Jeff Nutting
original draft was 4 page memo
not a lawyer, not interested in really changing things
is interested in making this work
-----------------------
Jeff Nutting
principle are the same intent
need to wordsmith to ensure that the principals will maintain control
he agrees to disagree with some of Jeff Roy's points
----------------------
Rich GilDeRubio
makes his statement as President of the custodial union
----------------------
Jeff Nutting
building custodians would be under Mike D'Angelo
the ground positions would be transferred to the DPW
----------------------
Don Gilboy
raised question on agreement that Jeff Nutting had signed several years ago
---------------------
would remove facilities from the school budget to the tune of approx $5.5M
--------------------
Mike D'Angelo
does not see any real benefit for the school or the town to make this change
about 5 towns have done this, Danvers on the north shore
not an impressive organization, top heavy with supervisors
and outsourced to a contractor who actually did the cleaning
does all the facilities work for the town
without an agreement yet the schools pay his salary
if you need an agreement that is 13 pages long to get something done
------------------
Jeff Nutting
see an opportunity for Mike to spend some time on the educational side
good timing with other than the library and the museum, nothing much will be done
------------------
Roberta Trahan
does not see the benefit but is looking for one
-----------------
Sue Rohrbach
if there is a loss of responsibility, there is a loss of control
----------------
Mike D'Angelo
the three trades do their work well, it is not their fault that there have been problems with things not getting done, until we complained things did not get done
there were two people eliminated in the move
---------------
Jeff Roy
the agreement I drafted ensure that it will stay the same
the goals are the same, how are we going to get there?
there are concerns, if you and Wayne can come to terms on the agreement
we're on the same page but we are about 9 pages apart
----------------
Deb Bartlett
not speaking for all the town council but this is how she came to this
revenue side - takes revenues from various resources, only $1.8M net new revenue
both budgets get an increase but not an enough to provide what both sides should
technology departments combined for savings and efficiencies
combine like departments and regionalize with other local towns to force the state to reconsider
yes it is change, and some won't like it but it is necessary
----------------
Mike D'Angelo
school department had already been bidding utility costs ahead of the town
schools are such a large portion of the town purchase they can work with vendors to get good pricing
---------------
Wayne Ogden
what ever you and the town council decide I will work with Jeff and make it happen
I am opposed and just in the last several days I have managed to figure it out
"I feel I'm going to loose something"
both opponents and proponents are talking about data
no one is talking about the data as to why this makes sense
take the town's best data people and do a financial analysis on what makes sense
library, food services, there are opportunities
lets see what the data says, so we can take the feelings out of the argument and go with the data
feelings and turf are so embedded in this, we need a clear set of guidelines
--------------
Jeff Roy
it is my hope that you work together to draft an agreement
--------------
Ed Cafasso
if the law gives the principals that much authority, if you can come to an agreement on language that satisfies that responsibility, then we should do so
proposal made last year but put on hold last year due to override and other items
reiterates the proposal points made previously
bigger the pool, the more flexibility
trades re-assigned to Mike D'Angelo
focus on school and education not the facilities
coordination of safety training
can't say we will save any money
in long run will be looking to add folks to the facilities department
should move forward, trial basis for three years
all involved in Memo of Understanding
work well together on a wide variety of issues
-----------------------
Jeff Roy
principals need to maintain control and autonomy over their buildings
referenced an appellate case in MA that the School Committee does not have right in this area, the state has defined that to be for the principals
13 page memo
-----------------------
Jeff Nutting
original draft was 4 page memo
not a lawyer, not interested in really changing things
is interested in making this work
-----------------------
Jeff Nutting
principle are the same intent
need to wordsmith to ensure that the principals will maintain control
he agrees to disagree with some of Jeff Roy's points
----------------------
Rich GilDeRubio
makes his statement as President of the custodial union
----------------------
Jeff Nutting
building custodians would be under Mike D'Angelo
the ground positions would be transferred to the DPW
----------------------
Don Gilboy
raised question on agreement that Jeff Nutting had signed several years ago
---------------------
would remove facilities from the school budget to the tune of approx $5.5M
--------------------
Mike D'Angelo
does not see any real benefit for the school or the town to make this change
about 5 towns have done this, Danvers on the north shore
not an impressive organization, top heavy with supervisors
and outsourced to a contractor who actually did the cleaning
does all the facilities work for the town
without an agreement yet the schools pay his salary
if you need an agreement that is 13 pages long to get something done
------------------
Jeff Nutting
see an opportunity for Mike to spend some time on the educational side
good timing with other than the library and the museum, nothing much will be done
------------------
Roberta Trahan
does not see the benefit but is looking for one
-----------------
Sue Rohrbach
if there is a loss of responsibility, there is a loss of control
----------------
Mike D'Angelo
the three trades do their work well, it is not their fault that there have been problems with things not getting done, until we complained things did not get done
there were two people eliminated in the move
---------------
Jeff Roy
the agreement I drafted ensure that it will stay the same
the goals are the same, how are we going to get there?
there are concerns, if you and Wayne can come to terms on the agreement
we're on the same page but we are about 9 pages apart
----------------
Deb Bartlett
not speaking for all the town council but this is how she came to this
revenue side - takes revenues from various resources, only $1.8M net new revenue
both budgets get an increase but not an enough to provide what both sides should
technology departments combined for savings and efficiencies
combine like departments and regionalize with other local towns to force the state to reconsider
yes it is change, and some won't like it but it is necessary
----------------
Mike D'Angelo
school department had already been bidding utility costs ahead of the town
schools are such a large portion of the town purchase they can work with vendors to get good pricing
---------------
Wayne Ogden
what ever you and the town council decide I will work with Jeff and make it happen
I am opposed and just in the last several days I have managed to figure it out
"I feel I'm going to loose something"
both opponents and proponents are talking about data
no one is talking about the data as to why this makes sense
take the town's best data people and do a financial analysis on what makes sense
library, food services, there are opportunities
lets see what the data says, so we can take the feelings out of the argument and go with the data
feelings and turf are so embedded in this, we need a clear set of guidelines
--------------
Jeff Roy
it is my hope that you work together to draft an agreement
--------------
Ed Cafasso
if the law gives the principals that much authority, if you can come to an agreement on language that satisfies that responsibility, then we should do so
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