The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon ceremony Wednesday morning, March 3rd for Dolce Express. They just opened in the former Choo-Choo Stop location at the Franklin/Dean Train station.
What was the ribbon ceremony like? This video will get you a good feel for it.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Town Council Mtg - 03/03/10
The collection of posts reported live from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, March 3rd can be found here:
- Live reporting - closing
- Live reporting - actions (cont'd)
- Live reporting - audit
- Live reporting - zoning bylaw amendments
- LIve reporting - Actions
- Live reporting - Town Council
Harlem Wizards return to Franklin!
The Harlem Wizards, one of the greatest basketball show-team organizations to ever “lace it up and let’em fly”, will play our own Sullivan Rockets. This will be an entertaining night for kids of all ages (and adults too)!
Did you miss their visit last year?
Don't miss it this year!
Date: Friday, March 19th, 2010, 7:00 PM
Doors Open 6:00, Game Time 7:00
Location: Tri-County Regional High School
147 Pond St, Franklin MA
Tickets: Click here to print ticket order form
Contacts: ayotte_k@verizon.net or erinclong@comcast.net
Sponsored By: Annie Sullivan Middle School PCC
 |
| From Franklin Matters |
Did you miss their visit last year?
Don't miss it this year!
Date: Friday, March 19th, 2010, 7:00 PM
Doors Open 6:00, Game Time 7:00
Location: Tri-County Regional High School
147 Pond St, Franklin MA
Tickets: Click here to print ticket order form
Contacts: ayotte_k@verizon.net or erinclong@comcast.net
Sponsored By: Annie Sullivan Middle School PCC
In the News - scoreboard
Franklin school's board scores a facelift
Pictures of the scoreboard during the restoration process can be found here
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Live reporting - closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
regionalization of dispatch?
Nutting - no change in recent months
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - concern about the roads given the weather condition, the DPW is working the issue, there are some limitations with what can be done (can't patch in the rain).
Jones - thanks to Davis Thayer, I presented the scoreboard to them today
Thanks to Karen Spilka who held a session at the Senior Center
then we went to Dolce Express to do a ribbon cutting for their new effort at the Train Station
Vallee - we should do an engineering plan for RT 140, whoever does that is usually inline for state funds, etc.
Whalen - do towns bond for road repairs?
Nutting - you can bond for a new road for 10 years, you can only do for road repair for 5 years, so by the time its done you'd be better off paying cash.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
not required
P. ADJOURN
motion approved 8-0
L. OLD BUSINESS
regionalization of dispatch?
Nutting - no change in recent months
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - concern about the roads given the weather condition, the DPW is working the issue, there are some limitations with what can be done (can't patch in the rain).
Jones - thanks to Davis Thayer, I presented the scoreboard to them today
Thanks to Karen Spilka who held a session at the Senior Center
then we went to Dolce Express to do a ribbon cutting for their new effort at the Train Station
Vallee - we should do an engineering plan for RT 140, whoever does that is usually inline for state funds, etc.
Whalen - do towns bond for road repairs?
Nutting - you can bond for a new road for 10 years, you can only do for road repair for 5 years, so by the time its done you'd be better off paying cash.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
not required
P. ADJOURN
motion approved 8-0
Live reporting - actions (cont'd)
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-639: Amendment to Chapter 185-5 Zoning map- 1st reading
motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses- 1st reading
motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0
motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses- 1st reading
motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0
Live reporting - audit
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
1. Presentation of Audit – Melanson Heath & Co.
The audit went well, no adjustments necessary
A significant estimate, an actuarial valuation to calculate the liability
Most readers will look to general and stabilization fund and not pay much attention to this unfunded liability
Page 14, 3rd number in the column
was 3.2 M is now 3.9 M virtually unchanged given the size of the overall operations
Page 16, 1st column, 3rd up from the bottom
$220,000 change in fund balance, given size of the budget this is an insignificant number
Page 16, 2nd column, stimulus money
amount coming in is the same as that expended
Page 18, budget vs actual page
attention to last column of numbers, midway down
total revenue and other sources 2.8 M less
most as result of cuts from 9c cuts of 3.5M
most of the offset was covered by the stimulus funds
effectively washing expenditures off against the stimulus
implemented the new accounting liability
Page 12 - designed to shown a long term perspective balance sheet
Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities, a little over 10 million
was always there but accounting standards are now requiring recognition
unrestricted funds decreased accordingly for this 10 M
management letter, a couple of recommendations
none of these rise to material weaknesses
1 - close some inactive capital project funds
2 - develop a more 'formal' risk assessment process, does assess risk currently, risk assessment is a key management function. department head meetings would be a good place to start this, to formalize this, would be how the Town would respond to this risk. Otherwise a very strong internal control structure
3 - tailings, tracks stale checks, one account has about $44,000 of uncashed checks
vendor no longer providing reconciliation services by end of fiscal year so this account will be closing
McGann - what is OPEB
Scott - described the term, basically retiree health insurance
McGann - what is the tailings account?
Nutting - we have written the checks, they have not been cashed by others
Scott - I don't like to compare clients, we did not need to propose any significant journal entries, we have only 3 minor recommendations, they do not rise to a significant or to a material deficiency
I am not involved in all our firms audits, I think this is a very good audit and much more timely than even two years ago.
Pfeffer - Page 32 do I read that we have
You do have some securities unsecured and unregistered, it is a rather high percentage, the notation is as of one point in time, it can change on a daily basis
Pfeffer - do you consider it dangerous or shocking?
No, there is some risk associated with some risks on investments but nothing unusual
I view some of my role to challenge my clients to not just provide the numbers but to go above and beyond
This year is much better, in 2007, we were here 11 months after the close
Gagner - that was somewhat do to the MUNIS conversion that we had just been completed.
We are not repeating any comments from prior years, this should be an important point to here.
Powderly - do you prepare fiscal statistics so we can compare ourselves to another
No, that would be the role of your fiscal advisors. You could do ten year trend information, largest employers, largest tax payers, etc.
Jones -what would you regard as an excellent goal
Gagner - no recommendations in the management letter
1. Presentation of Audit – Melanson Heath & Co.
The audit went well, no adjustments necessary
A significant estimate, an actuarial valuation to calculate the liability
Most readers will look to general and stabilization fund and not pay much attention to this unfunded liability
Page 14, 3rd number in the column
was 3.2 M is now 3.9 M virtually unchanged given the size of the overall operations
Page 16, 1st column, 3rd up from the bottom
$220,000 change in fund balance, given size of the budget this is an insignificant number
Page 16, 2nd column, stimulus money
amount coming in is the same as that expended
Page 18, budget vs actual page
attention to last column of numbers, midway down
total revenue and other sources 2.8 M less
most as result of cuts from 9c cuts of 3.5M
most of the offset was covered by the stimulus funds
effectively washing expenditures off against the stimulus
implemented the new accounting liability
Page 12 - designed to shown a long term perspective balance sheet
Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities, a little over 10 million
was always there but accounting standards are now requiring recognition
unrestricted funds decreased accordingly for this 10 M
management letter, a couple of recommendations
none of these rise to material weaknesses
1 - close some inactive capital project funds
2 - develop a more 'formal' risk assessment process, does assess risk currently, risk assessment is a key management function. department head meetings would be a good place to start this, to formalize this, would be how the Town would respond to this risk. Otherwise a very strong internal control structure
3 - tailings, tracks stale checks, one account has about $44,000 of uncashed checks
vendor no longer providing reconciliation services by end of fiscal year so this account will be closing
McGann - what is OPEB
Scott - described the term, basically retiree health insurance
McGann - what is the tailings account?
Nutting - we have written the checks, they have not been cashed by others
Scott - I don't like to compare clients, we did not need to propose any significant journal entries, we have only 3 minor recommendations, they do not rise to a significant or to a material deficiency
I am not involved in all our firms audits, I think this is a very good audit and much more timely than even two years ago.
Pfeffer - Page 32 do I read that we have
You do have some securities unsecured and unregistered, it is a rather high percentage, the notation is as of one point in time, it can change on a daily basis
Pfeffer - do you consider it dangerous or shocking?
No, there is some risk associated with some risks on investments but nothing unusual
I view some of my role to challenge my clients to not just provide the numbers but to go above and beyond
This year is much better, in 2007, we were here 11 months after the close
Gagner - that was somewhat do to the MUNIS conversion that we had just been completed.
We are not repeating any comments from prior years, this should be an important point to here.
Powderly - do you prepare fiscal statistics so we can compare ourselves to another
No, that would be the role of your fiscal advisors. You could do ten year trend information, largest employers, largest tax payers, etc.
Jones -what would you regard as an excellent goal
Gagner - no recommendations in the management letter
Live reporting - zoning bylaw amendments
F. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
hearing opened
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-639: Amendment to Chapter 185-5 Zoning map
adding 11 parcels, removes one parcel which is part of the State Forest
Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend adoption of this
hearing closed
hearing opened
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses
this would remove the extra requirement of a Town Council special permit
the Board of Health would be required to hold a public hearing
It is in the interest of the Town to do this to help entice companies to operate here
hearing closed
these items are on the agenda for action to move them to a second reading later in this meeting
hearing opened
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-639: Amendment to Chapter 185-5 Zoning map
adding 11 parcels, removes one parcel which is part of the State Forest
Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend adoption of this
hearing closed
hearing opened
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses
this would remove the extra requirement of a Town Council special permit
the Board of Health would be required to hold a public hearing
It is in the interest of the Town to do this to help entice companies to operate here
hearing closed
these items are on the agenda for action to move them to a second reading later in this meeting
LIve reporting - Actions
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION –
1. Resolution 10-05: Property Tax Deferrals For Seniors – Gross Receipts Limit
Seniors can contact Karen Alves, Bob Fahey, the Assessors, the Town website for more informaiton on how to apply for this
motion to approve - passed 8-0
2. Resolution 10-07: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 37A
increase from 437 to 500, about 20 folks currently take advantage of this
motion to approve - passed 8-0
3. Resolution 10-08: Property Tax Exemption G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C
Increases exemption to $750 (from $500 to $750)
motion to approve - passed 8-0
4. Resolution 10-09: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program
senior citizens can use this work abatement for the equivalent of the minimum wage
program has been around for 10 or more years, a number of departments could not function without the support of the resources that work this way.
Mason - thanks to Councilor Powderly for her work on this
motion to approve - passed 8-0
1. Resolution 10-05: Property Tax Deferrals For Seniors – Gross Receipts Limit
Seniors can contact Karen Alves, Bob Fahey, the Assessors, the Town website for more informaiton on how to apply for this
motion to approve - passed 8-0
2. Resolution 10-07: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 37A
increase from 437 to 500, about 20 folks currently take advantage of this
motion to approve - passed 8-0
3. Resolution 10-08: Property Tax Exemption G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C
Increases exemption to $750 (from $500 to $750)
motion to approve - passed 8-0
4. Resolution 10-09: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program
senior citizens can use this work abatement for the equivalent of the minimum wage
program has been around for 10 or more years, a number of departments could not function without the support of the resources that work this way.
Mason - thanks to Councilor Powderly for her work on this
motion to approve - passed 8-0
Live reporting - Town Council
Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Powderly
Absent: Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Town Council meeting of Apr 14 has been moved to Apr 28
Special State Primary Election to elect the replacement for Scott Brown (Precincts 2-3-4 only) Apr 13th and election on May 11th
Rocking 80's Party at Cole's March 20th
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Historical Commission- Associate Member - Marlene Oliver
motion to approve - passed 8-0
Absent: Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Town Council meeting of Apr 14 has been moved to Apr 28
Special State Primary Election to elect the replacement for Scott Brown (Precincts 2-3-4 only) Apr 13th and election on May 11th
Rocking 80's Party at Cole's March 20th
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Historical Commission- Associate Member - Marlene Oliver
motion to approve - passed 8-0
End the R-word
Spread the word, to end the word!
What word?
You know, the R-word.
More about the international event taking place on March 3!
Thanks to Susan Senator for the link
What word?
You know, the R-word.
More about the international event taking place on March 3!
Thanks to Susan Senator for the link
How many words in The Cat in the Hat?
On the importance of words:
Read more about this study and review the listing of the 236 words here
Did you read The Cat in the Hat or any other Dr Seuss book yesterday?
You can always find one to read today!
Simpson’s interpretation is more complex than the story I’ll tell here, but basically he looks at the numbers of words in a piece of literature (for example) and then convenes the number of different words, deducing the actual and then relative density of word usage, which is pretty interesting (and verifies that pit-of-the-stomach feeling about which authors use more words in smaller space).The study referred to calculated that Dr Seuss used only 236 words used to write The Cat In the Hat.
Read more about this study and review the listing of the 236 words here
Did you read The Cat in the Hat or any other Dr Seuss book yesterday?
You can always find one to read today!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Rock the 80's Party
There is a "Rock the 80's Party coming up this month.
Get out your leg warmers, lace bra, IZOD shirt, and don't forget your mullet & can of hairspray as you get ready for the PARTY OF THE SPRING!!
For a minimum donation of $15 (you can certainly donate more!) come dance, laugh, and have a great time while raising money for a great cause!
DJ, h'dourves, desert, cash bar, and lots of raffles & gift baskets!
80's PARTY/FUNDRAISER FOR THE AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER
Get out your leg warmers, lace bra, IZOD shirt, and don't forget your mullet & can of hairspray as you get ready for the PARTY OF THE SPRING!!
For a minimum donation of $15 (you can certainly donate more!) come dance, laugh, and have a great time while raising money for a great cause!
DJ, h'dourves, desert, cash bar, and lots of raffles & gift baskets!
When: Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 8:00pm
Where: Cole's Tavern, Washington St., Franklin MA
More info on Facebook here
"This book's gonna be a good book"
Every once in awhile, the beat catches you.
You get caught up in it!
"I have my book
Do you have yours?
What are you reading?"
...
"This book's gonna be a good book
to read!"
Enjoy!
What are you reading?
Thanks to the Teen Literacy Tips for the link
You get caught up in it!
"I have my book
Do you have yours?
What are you reading?"
...
"This book's gonna be a good book
to read!"
Enjoy!
What are you reading?
Thanks to the Teen Literacy Tips for the link
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