Wes Fryer does a good SlideShare presentation synchronizing the slideshow with audio to explain copyright. It is almost an hour but you should give yourself credit for watching it, well worth it.
Enjoy!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
FM #31 - This week in Franklin, MA
This is podcast 31 in the series on what matters in Franklin, MA. I review what happened this week ending 2/22/09. The Financial Planning Committee is closing in on finishing their report, there is an updated time line, and an opportunity for feedback.
Time: 8 minutes, 48 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
Music intro
My intro
FM #31
This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 31 in the series. In this session, I’ll focus on what you should know about what happened in Franklin, MA this week ending Feb 22, 2009.
The week was a quiet one as school vacation came and went too quickly for most, I would assume. There were no major meetings scheduled for the town council or school committee.
As reported in the Milford Daily News, the Tri-County Vocational District announced their school budget this week. They are coming in at less than level funded with multiple cuts across the budget. Their final budget will be voted on in April. The exact charge to Franklin will be known then. It is primarily based upon how many students are sent to the district and then a per pupil charge is summarized.
There was a Financial Planning Committee meeting on Thursday the 19th. My live reporting from that meeting can be found here.
They previewed the 3 page Executive Summary highlighting
We now have two choices, increase revenues or cut costs. Cutting costs seems to be easy, every business that does it makes headlines doing so. But there are also examples that not every business does so smartly. The cost cutting that remains in Franklin is in actual programs and services provided. What can we do without?
Increasing revenues needs to be part of the discussion. It is the real opportunity. We need to figure out ways to make it easier for the town to grow revenues to a more sustainable level than we have today.
The timeline for the Financial Planning Committee was also updated:
Second, we have a Senior Center kitchen. A few hundred yards away are several cafeterias with kitchens where the schools provide many more meals. Let's combine those operations. Why force the seniors to travel all over town when they could more easily reach the school in their neighborhood.
Since the class size will likely increase, let's get more adults into the classrooms to help the teachers. Let's use the seniors to assist in classrooms, some may have taught previously, others dealt with grandchildren. One of the common jokes about grandparents dealing with their grandchildren is they can “spoil” them and then give them back to their parents. There is some truth to the natural relationship between the generations and helping to foster that will bring multiple benefits. With an additional adult (or adults) in the classrooms, the effect of larger class sizes (students per teacher) would be minimized
And here comes your chance. Between now and April 29th, put your thinking caps on to generate additional ideas.
You can include them in a comment, send me an email, or make a list to bring to the Forum on April 29th.
Together we can come up with something worthwhile. We may not find a silver bullet but every gem we do find will add up. A little here, a little there will soon add up significantly.
Here is your chance, take the challenge!
Looking to the week ahead: there is a Planning Board meeting on Monday, the School Committee meeting Tuesday. There are other town meetings posted on the calendar on the Franklin Home page. Check it out and go attend a meeting.
--------------
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
Time: 8 minutes, 48 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
Music intro
My intro
FM #31
This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 31 in the series. In this session, I’ll focus on what you should know about what happened in Franklin, MA this week ending Feb 22, 2009.
The week was a quiet one as school vacation came and went too quickly for most, I would assume. There were no major meetings scheduled for the town council or school committee.
As reported in the Milford Daily News, the Tri-County Vocational District announced their school budget this week. They are coming in at less than level funded with multiple cuts across the budget. Their final budget will be voted on in April. The exact charge to Franklin will be known then. It is primarily based upon how many students are sent to the district and then a per pupil charge is summarized.
There was a Financial Planning Committee meeting on Thursday the 19th. My live reporting from that meeting can be found here.
They previewed the 3 page Executive Summary highlighting
- where we have been
- where we are going
- what we can do about it
We now have two choices, increase revenues or cut costs. Cutting costs seems to be easy, every business that does it makes headlines doing so. But there are also examples that not every business does so smartly. The cost cutting that remains in Franklin is in actual programs and services provided. What can we do without?
Increasing revenues needs to be part of the discussion. It is the real opportunity. We need to figure out ways to make it easier for the town to grow revenues to a more sustainable level than we have today.
The timeline for the Financial Planning Committee was also updated:
- April 2 - focus group meeting
- April 15 - present to a joint Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee meeting
- April 29 - town forum to review the plan document and solicit feedback
Second, we have a Senior Center kitchen. A few hundred yards away are several cafeterias with kitchens where the schools provide many more meals. Let's combine those operations. Why force the seniors to travel all over town when they could more easily reach the school in their neighborhood.
Since the class size will likely increase, let's get more adults into the classrooms to help the teachers. Let's use the seniors to assist in classrooms, some may have taught previously, others dealt with grandchildren. One of the common jokes about grandparents dealing with their grandchildren is they can “spoil” them and then give them back to their parents. There is some truth to the natural relationship between the generations and helping to foster that will bring multiple benefits. With an additional adult (or adults) in the classrooms, the effect of larger class sizes (students per teacher) would be minimized
And here comes your chance. Between now and April 29th, put your thinking caps on to generate additional ideas.
You can include them in a comment, send me an email, or make a list to bring to the Forum on April 29th.
Together we can come up with something worthwhile. We may not find a silver bullet but every gem we do find will add up. A little here, a little there will soon add up significantly.
Here is your chance, take the challenge!
Looking to the week ahead: there is a Planning Board meeting on Monday, the School Committee meeting Tuesday. There are other town meetings posted on the calendar on the Franklin Home page. Check it out and go attend a meeting.
--------------
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
"people are still spending money, it's incredible"
GHS
Robert R. Vallee Sr., owner of Vallee Jewelers in Franklin, knows the key to surviving an economic depression.
"You just work," said Vallee, a sentiment echoed by others whose parents or grandparents pulled their local businesses through the Great Depression.
From their point of view, today's society has lost sight of what is important, letting greed and excessive living plunge them into debt.
The world will get through the economic crisis, and whatever's around the corner, they say, by returning to a more simple way of living and a stronger work ethic.
"My father (Emile Vallee) worked two jobs. He learned watch making and worked at a textile mill" in Manville, R.I., said Vallee.
Read the full article with stories from other business owners in the area in the Milford Daily News here
"You don't see the difference"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
On any given day, municipal departments are just beginning, trying to begin, or trying to finish, time-consuming projects on a tight budget.
Today, the School Department can sit back a bit and start adding up all the savings wrought by the completion of 65 energy-saving initiatives, an effort that took 10 years to finish.
Michael D'Angelo, the facilities director for the schools and the town, takes pride in Franklin taking the lead in using technological advances early in the game.
"We were doing it before it was popular," said D'Angelo, who is constantly researching ways to make the schools as energy-efficient as possible - he's currently eyeing the installation of solar panels three years down the road, when he says they will be cost-effective.
"We're almost as technologically advanced as you can be, without getting into solar or wind," D'Angelo said.
Read the full article on how energy efficient Franklin's schools are in the Milford Daily News here
Friday, February 20, 2009
"we're looking to impact their behavior"
More than a dozen young adults who were at the October underage drinking party where 17-year-old Taylor Meyer of Plainville was last seen alive must take part in a drug- and alcohol-awareness program, in addition to fulfilling other requirements, a Wrentham District Court judge ordered Thursday.
Fourteen people ranging in age from 17 to 20 appeared before Judge Warren Powers for a probable cause hearing, each facing a charge of underage possession of alcohol, said David Traub, a spokesman for Norfolk District Attorney William Keating.
All were charged following the Oct. 17 post-Homecoming party at the former Norfolk Airport. Meyer, who wandered away from the group, became lost, and drowned in an adjacent wetland. Her blood alcohol level was .13, according to autopsy findings.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
"You'd have to change the marketplace"
FRANKLIN —
In continuing discussions about presenting a three-year fiscal plan for the town, the Financial Planning Committee last night generally agreed that without some kind of structural change the town's expenses will outpace its revenue indefinitely.
Most towns in the state are contending with the same problem, even affluent communities such as Newton, said Town Councilor Shannon Zollo, who is also a planning committee member.
"Our budget goes up a lot more than 2.5 percent every year, it's more in the 4 or 5 percent range," said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Financial Planning Committee minutes 2/5/09
FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 5, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
Members present were: Deborah Bartlett, James Roche, Matt Kelly, Roberta Trahan, Rebecca Cameron, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek. Also present were Jeffrey Nutting and Wayne Odgen. Absent were Steve Whalen and Shannon Zollo.
The Committee reviewed reports to date. Matt Kelly handed out a sample of FAQ's for review. Deborah Bartlett and Roberta Trahan submitted their information to Doug Hardesty. Jim Roche handed out a draft of his work; Jeff Nutting continues to work with Rebecca on the assumptions. Members should submit changes, improvements etc. to Doug Hardesty in the next 10 days so it will be ready for the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Nutting
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 5, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
Members present were: Deborah Bartlett, James Roche, Matt Kelly, Roberta Trahan, Rebecca Cameron, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek. Also present were Jeffrey Nutting and Wayne Odgen. Absent were Steve Whalen and Shannon Zollo.
The Committee reviewed reports to date. Matt Kelly handed out a sample of FAQ's for review. Deborah Bartlett and Roberta Trahan submitted their information to Doug Hardesty. Jim Roche handed out a draft of his work; Jeff Nutting continues to work with Rebecca on the assumptions. Members should submit changes, improvements etc. to Doug Hardesty in the next 10 days so it will be ready for the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Nutting
Financial Planning Committee minutes 1/15/09
FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
January 15, 2009
A meeting of the Financial Planning Committee was held on January 15, 2009 at the Franklin Municipal Building. Members present were Deborah Bartlett, Shannon Zollo, Roberta Trahan, Jim Roche, Rebecca Cameron and Doug Hardesty, Matt Kelly & Gwynne Wilschek. Also present was Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator and Wayne Odgen, School Superintendent. Absent was Steve Whalen.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
The Chairman Jim Roche asked that each subcommittee report on the progress of their assignment. The members reviewed their work to date and the Committee discussed the work and suggested a format for a final product by each subgroup.
Doug Hardesty requested that all work at the individual level be completed in two weeks and forwarded to him so he could collate the information.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2009
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey D. Nutting
MINUTES OF MEETING
January 15, 2009
A meeting of the Financial Planning Committee was held on January 15, 2009 at the Franklin Municipal Building. Members present were Deborah Bartlett, Shannon Zollo, Roberta Trahan, Jim Roche, Rebecca Cameron and Doug Hardesty, Matt Kelly & Gwynne Wilschek. Also present was Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator and Wayne Odgen, School Superintendent. Absent was Steve Whalen.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
The Chairman Jim Roche asked that each subcommittee report on the progress of their assignment. The members reviewed their work to date and the Committee discussed the work and suggested a format for a final product by each subgroup.
Doug Hardesty requested that all work at the individual level be completed in two weeks and forwarded to him so he could collate the information.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2009
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey D. Nutting
Financial Planning Committee minutes 12/18/08
FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2008
A meeting of the Financial Planning Committee was held on December 18, 2008 at the Franklin Municipal Building. Members present were Deborah Bartlett, Shannon Zollo, Roberta Trahan, Rebecca Cameron, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek. Also present were Jeffrey Nutting and Wayne Odgen. Absent were Steve Whalen, Matt Kelly and Jim Roche.
The Town Administrator handed out information on the comparison of the FY01 to FY09 budgets, a list of all things all departments have done over the last many years to reduce staff, cut costs, improve efficiencies, receive grants, etc., as well as a list of legislative priority items the Massachusetts Municipal Association and others are hoping the Legislature will consider in order to control costs.
Doug Hardesty asked what the Committee thought should be included in the report. Deb Bartlett suggested an executive summary, budget information, fiscal policies, history of capital, school mandates, costs beyond the control of the Town, services we must perform and how citizens might help. Other suggestions were bulletin points, graphs and charts, but keeping the summary to a few pages, as well as information on population, students, staffing etc. Doug offered to try a "straw man" draft of the format and then committee members would need to do some work to fill in the information.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Nutting
MINUTES OF MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2008
A meeting of the Financial Planning Committee was held on December 18, 2008 at the Franklin Municipal Building. Members present were Deborah Bartlett, Shannon Zollo, Roberta Trahan, Rebecca Cameron, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek. Also present were Jeffrey Nutting and Wayne Odgen. Absent were Steve Whalen, Matt Kelly and Jim Roche.
The Town Administrator handed out information on the comparison of the FY01 to FY09 budgets, a list of all things all departments have done over the last many years to reduce staff, cut costs, improve efficiencies, receive grants, etc., as well as a list of legislative priority items the Massachusetts Municipal Association and others are hoping the Legislature will consider in order to control costs.
Doug Hardesty asked what the Committee thought should be included in the report. Deb Bartlett suggested an executive summary, budget information, fiscal policies, history of capital, school mandates, costs beyond the control of the Town, services we must perform and how citizens might help. Other suggestions were bulletin points, graphs and charts, but keeping the summary to a few pages, as well as information on population, students, staffing etc. Doug offered to try a "straw man" draft of the format and then committee members would need to do some work to fill in the information.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Nutting
The Green Reel: "The Next Industrial Revolution"
The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.
What: The Next Industrial Revolution"
When: 7:00 PM on February 22, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
read more about the file "The Next Industrial Revolution" here
Sponsors:
What: The Next Industrial Revolution"
When: 7:00 PM on February 22, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389
For more info: 508-695-2389
read more about the file "The Next Industrial Revolution" here
Sponsors:
Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Financial Plng Comm 02/19/09
The live reporting from the Financial Planning committee meeting of 2/19/09 can be found here
Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee (continued)
Executive summary, page 2.
In 1995, the town paid 71% of the school budget, we are now down to 50%.
The idea behind the plan is a call to action. These trends will continue unless action is taken.
If we eliminate services, we can address costs.
If we are too general here, they might miss the point. I think we do need to get an example in their.
March 5th for the trial preview is not likely. We have spent time just on the 3 page executive summary.
You don't have to rush to March 5th. What we have before us will not likely change. The train has already left the station.
Getting this done by April 1st should be our goal.
Need to provide the option. The citizens are either going to vote for or against but there is a choice that the citizens need to make.
Jeff is ready to send the soft copy of all the data accumulated to date.
We will be meeting March 5th. No preview for focus group.
March 19th is the FEF Trivia Bee.
Considering the 12th or 26th? Meet on the 12th.
April 2nd? can that be the focus group? yes
Keep the 26th for a meeting.
April 15th joint meeting of Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee
TBD - Horace Mann for town wide discussion. 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(updated 2/24/09 - the date had been tentatively planned for 4/29/09 but that day has a prior commitment)
We are gaining momentum as the material comes together.
In 1995, the town paid 71% of the school budget, we are now down to 50%.
The idea behind the plan is a call to action. These trends will continue unless action is taken.
If we eliminate services, we can address costs.
If we are too general here, they might miss the point. I think we do need to get an example in their.
March 5th for the trial preview is not likely. We have spent time just on the 3 page executive summary.
You don't have to rush to March 5th. What we have before us will not likely change. The train has already left the station.
Getting this done by April 1st should be our goal.
Need to provide the option. The citizens are either going to vote for or against but there is a choice that the citizens need to make.
Jeff is ready to send the soft copy of all the data accumulated to date.
We will be meeting March 5th. No preview for focus group.
March 19th is the FEF Trivia Bee.
Considering the 12th or 26th? Meet on the 12th.
April 2nd? can that be the focus group? yes
Keep the 26th for a meeting.
April 15th joint meeting of Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee
TBD - Horace Mann for town wide discussion. 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(updated 2/24/09 - the date had been tentatively planned for 4/29/09 but that day has a prior commitment)
We are gaining momentum as the material comes together.
Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee 2/19/09
Attending: Roche, Bartlett, Cameron, Hardesty, Nutting, Trahan, Whalen, Zollo, Wilschek (late)
Absent: Kelly, Ogden
Accepted minutes of Dec 18, Jan 15, Feb 5.
Discussion on the executive summary draft
Need to be consistent with numbers used. The State DOE calculates slightly differently. They include the enterprise accounts.
Include a glossary of terms in the appendix so everyone can have and use the same terms in the same way.
Doesn't want to use any term in the executive summary that would be required to be defined in the glossary.
Discussion on raising issues
Newton did their study; Harvard professors spent six months reviewing the finances and determined that the current process was not sustainable.
There are 2 or 3 budget busters that should not be a surprise; wages, health costs, SPED costs (including transportation).
Need to be accurate and unbiased on the data presentation.
We can get to the other infrastructure items over time. We will have capacity to borrow some 3 million. We won't be able to do the high school without a debt exclusion for sure, but overtime we can get to the other infrastructure items. Recall, this year's total capital budget was 8 million in requests of which we are proceeding with 1.3 million.
At some point, specifically with the roads, we are to a point where we need to do something in addition to the way we are tackling the roads today.
Absent: Kelly, Ogden
Accepted minutes of Dec 18, Jan 15, Feb 5.
Discussion on the executive summary draft
Need to be consistent with numbers used. The State DOE calculates slightly differently. They include the enterprise accounts.
Include a glossary of terms in the appendix so everyone can have and use the same terms in the same way.
Doesn't want to use any term in the executive summary that would be required to be defined in the glossary.
Discussion on raising issues
Newton did their study; Harvard professors spent six months reviewing the finances and determined that the current process was not sustainable.
There are 2 or 3 budget busters that should not be a surprise; wages, health costs, SPED costs (including transportation).
Need to be accurate and unbiased on the data presentation.
We can get to the other infrastructure items over time. We will have capacity to borrow some 3 million. We won't be able to do the high school without a debt exclusion for sure, but overtime we can get to the other infrastructure items. Recall, this year's total capital budget was 8 million in requests of which we are proceeding with 1.3 million.
At some point, specifically with the roads, we are to a point where we need to do something in addition to the way we are tackling the roads today.
"I have my concerns about the cost to implement this in our current economy,"
Under the draft regulations, the DEP is proposing a $200 fee for the initial certificate and a $200 annual certification fee. Those seeking a variance could have to pay $3,000, Civian said.
During a mid-morning break, several local developers and business owners shared their worries about the proposal.
Sherry Clancy, project manager for National Development, threw out several questions yesterday.
"I think it's something we have to get educated about and understand," Clancy said. "If there is something troublesome or cumbersome, that comment should be made now before it's too late."
-----
Another information session is scheduled for Wednesday at the DEP's Central Regional Office at 627 Main St., Worcester, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The DEP has extended the comment period on its proposed Statewide Stormwater Management Program until March 11. All comments should be submitted in writing to Mass DEP, 1 Winter St., 5th floor, Boston, MA 02108, attention: Glenn Haas or by e-mail to DEP.Waterpermitting@state.ma.us.
The proposed regulations and program details are available at the DEP Web site at www.mass.gov/dep.
Read the full article about stricter storm water management in the Milford Daily News here
Congratulations to FHS Cheerleaders
Read the full article on the team in the Milford Daily News here
Franklin High School's Varsity Cheerleaders: They are the second FHS cheerleading team to take home first place at a national competition; the first title was won in Providence in 2006.
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