Melanson Heath & Co., 2012 Audit
up to Page 12, MD and A, management discussion and analysis
Page 13
summary of future view
Page 15
unassigned fund balance $4,289
modest improvement over prior year, about 4.2% of general fund, auditor look at that number
stabilization accounts, fund increases due to actions voted but not yet spent
$15M vs. a year ago of $11M, $3M of that was committed
Page 17 helps to understand why the increase in unassigned fund balance
change in fund balance seen here, majority of this is timing
there is a good deal of info in the footnotes
there is interest in OPEB, if you choose I could talk for hours on it
In the management letter, recommendations begin on Page 3
follow up to prior year, more formal risk process, formal = written
The Town has provided responses to the issues raised, we think what has begun is off to a good start
On Page 4 - issues 2 and 3 will be addressed collectively, billing collection and assessment of funds, no segregation of duties present
on Page 5
Policy on handling fund balances, deals with spending prioritization
there are different constraints on the source of funds, determine which buckets of money shold be used first, would help provide guidance on what to do, what to use
Page 6 - prepare for GASB 68
the handling of the Norfolk County unfunded liability would need to be added to the books
an informational comment, I can not anticipate what that number would be
it is likely to be a large number, liabilities will go up, assets will go down
Powderly - yes,I did notice the quicker turnaround
does this happen often?
Nutting - we didn't have staffing, one clerk was doing both, we can resolve that with staffing and the outsourcing being looked at.
Risk assessment,the small towns will consider and accept the risk
Gagner, the risk assessment will be a multi year process, we have looked at the Treasurer and Comptroller depts, and once we have ours down, we'll expand to others
Nutting - eventually every department will go through the process,
Many more appointed treasurers
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Live reporting: Treasurer/Collector
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Jim Dacey, Treasurer-Collector
Discussion on current proposal as drafted to start the work to move the position to an elected one
Kelly - can we handle this as we do the school principal?
Nutting - that is the recruitment process, does the council start getting involved every time something comes up. When I recommended the promotion of the current chief, we did that local as we had a candidate
Nutting - when someone comes in from the outside it is a different story, as soon as you get a committee it becomes an open meeting
Powderly - this is changing in general terms, the fine details of the process remain to be defined. While it is an elected position in some communities, the size of the budget does become the determinant?
Dacey - yes, the size of the budget is a key factor
Mercer - you get to choose the candidate and bring it to us?
Nutting - yes, there is a check in balance, we need to keep politics out of it. That would be true of any appointment
Dacey - to get the best possible candidate then we need to have it appointed
Jones - I think we need to let the voters determine this. I don't think we should take a position from the public.
Bissanti - do you feel that on a day to day basis, that you need to be in the trenches?
Dacey - my role is very hands on, there are things I do that no one else in the office does. Tax taking, investment choices, it is very hands on. My assistant is buried right now with the work that she has to do. If she would be the one to support the new treasurer, she would be hard pressed
Powderly - while moving from elected to appoint, the residents don't loose their voice. The Councilors hear from folks all the time. That won't change. I will always favor a Franklin resident, if I have to choose between three Franklin resident and some one who is very well qualified, for the stability of town I would go outside. It is a hard choice. No one can tell us more accurately than you what is needed. That is the most convincing argument. It can be seen as taking power away from people but I don't see that.
Jones - I think the voters are smarter than we think
Dacey - the problem is when someone is in for a week and messes things up, you won't be able to recover from it. It was almost three years before I go the job down pat.
Live Reporting - Town Council - Feb 6, 2013
Present: Mercer, Dellorco, kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti,
Absent: Roy
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 28,2013, December 19, 2013, Executive Session
motion to approve, passed 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29.This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Absent: Roy
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 28,2013, December 19, 2013, Executive Session
motion to approve, passed 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29.This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Teens Set to Run 4th Annual Charity 3v3 Soccer Tournament
The 2013 Soccer for Smiles to be held during school vacation in February promises fun for all participants while supporting a terrific local charity, the Random Smile Project. The Soccer for Smiles team is looking for contributions from local businesses and individuals as well as players from ages 5 to high school. The tournament is round-robin style and will be held February 18th, 19th, and 20th at Carpe Diem Field on 34 Saxon Street in Franklin, MA.
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| Soccer for Smiles 3v3 Tournament |
Soccer for Smiles was formed in 2010 when four teenagers combined their love for soccer with their interest in contributing to the earthquake relief fund in Haiti. Colin Berg (16), Tim LaRowe (15), Alexa Frongillo (16), and Cobi Frongillo (15), coaches at the Franklin Soccer School, came together to plan and host their first charity soccer event. The teens were struck by the devastation faced by the people of Haiti after the earthquake. They realized also that many people in their local community were in need of support and felt that they could make an impact through a fun, athletic event with children. This led them to partner with the Random Smile Project whose mission is to provide a bridge of support to people going through difficult times.
With increasing participation of over 100 young players in each of three years the tournament has been great fun and very productive. Raising over $2,000 for Haiti, they recognized the power of soccer and charity. Over the last two years, the team focused on local charities and each year outpaced the previous year’s income. In 2011, the tournament raised over $4,000 for the Random Smile Project (www.randomsmile.org). In 2012 the group chose beneficiaries of RSP and Team Isabella, helping a local girl and her family; contributions exceeded $5,000.
This year, the organizers of Soccer for Smiles look to go even higher hoping to get more participants over three days. Working again with the Random Smile Project, they aim to raise over $7,500. For more information and registration forms, go to www.franklinsoccerschool.com or email them at tournament@franklinsoccerschool.com .
Franklin Library: Fun Club - Mardi Gras Party
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Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Live reporting - Finance Committee - 2/5/13
Present: Smith, Goldsmith, Dufur, Quinn, Roche, Dewsnap, Feldman, Aparo, Huempfner
Absent: none
Citizens Comments - none
Approval of minutes from Jan 8th, motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
Action item:
Town Clerk advertising $1,000
proposed to move from free cash
motion to approve from free cash, seconded, passed 9-0
DPW Road Capital Plan
Mike Maglio, Asst Town Engineer
roadway inventory conducted and road ratings created
update the database yearly
determines the capital plan based upon the ratings
206 total miles, approx. 30 miles are unaccepted roadways
approx 23 miles are private roads, with another 18 miles that are State roads
avg rating for roads is currently 76, would like to get up to about 80. That number tends to be a good one for communities of our size
if we attempted to upgrade all the roads at once, it would cost about $48M
$1.2 M per year would keep us just holding steady
$2.0 M would get us gradually to an 80 rating by 2022
The town is doing a lot of planning that folks don't always see
The Long Range Planning Committee reported that roads were one of the major issues to be addressed.
The DPW does work with the gas company to coordinate road work
There is a bylaw passed a few years ago that once a road was re-built, it is not to be touched (unless an emergency) for five years.
Trying to narrow the width of the roads to reduce the storm water handling
What has been the average road budget?
Not sure, let me check and get back to you. I have been here year and a half and just gettign into the budget business
Can you explain the accepted road process?
Has to do with the final as-built reports and acceptance by the Town Council
Working to get some of those identified and accepted into the process
We would be plowing and doing that kind of maintenance but not physical road repair work
Most of the paving is through contracts
we'll do some of the smaller tasks but the larger roads are better done by contractors
Q - how did the sidewalks account for so much/
A - can't repair them, mostly replace. Hadn't done this particular slide so not sure exactly what the calculation was
Tabling the OPEB valuation discussion (J Nutting not here)
Susan Gagner - not much to add just yet, the Governor's budget is out and we are scheduled for more local aid, if that holds it is very open to discussion
Intending to get budget at end of March
Per Jeff Roy, there will not be a local aid cut for this fiscal year.
Tri-County assessment is up, we have more kids enrolled there
Special election cost
There will be a primary and election, whether the state picks up the cost is open
Jim Dacey
we may come back to you for an increase in the processing of the parking tickets
have written only $20K of tickets, had budgeted only $3K for the processing
will be looking to see what it will be before year end and may come back in Apr/May with a number that should be good
Excise tax bills will be going out next Monday
Annual report will be reviewed at the Town Council meeting
Management letter to be addressed regarding action items
esp. a policy for fund balances
May be a requirement to put the unfunded pension liability on the balance sheet
The county has not presented that number to us
it will be interesting to see, all net assets will go down when it is added
Clarification on the asset versus liability and the balance sheet
we are funding the liability but not booking it (pension)
we are not funding the liability (OPEB) but booking
motion to adjourn
Absent: none
Citizens Comments - none
Approval of minutes from Jan 8th, motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
Action item:
Town Clerk advertising $1,000
proposed to move from free cash
motion to approve from free cash, seconded, passed 9-0
DPW Road Capital Plan
Mike Maglio, Asst Town Engineer
roadway inventory conducted and road ratings created
update the database yearly
determines the capital plan based upon the ratings
206 total miles, approx. 30 miles are unaccepted roadways
approx 23 miles are private roads, with another 18 miles that are State roads
avg rating for roads is currently 76, would like to get up to about 80. That number tends to be a good one for communities of our size
if we attempted to upgrade all the roads at once, it would cost about $48M
$1.2 M per year would keep us just holding steady
$2.0 M would get us gradually to an 80 rating by 2022
The town is doing a lot of planning that folks don't always see
The Long Range Planning Committee reported that roads were one of the major issues to be addressed.
The DPW does work with the gas company to coordinate road work
There is a bylaw passed a few years ago that once a road was re-built, it is not to be touched (unless an emergency) for five years.
Trying to narrow the width of the roads to reduce the storm water handling
What has been the average road budget?
Not sure, let me check and get back to you. I have been here year and a half and just gettign into the budget business
Can you explain the accepted road process?
Has to do with the final as-built reports and acceptance by the Town Council
Working to get some of those identified and accepted into the process
We would be plowing and doing that kind of maintenance but not physical road repair work
Most of the paving is through contracts
we'll do some of the smaller tasks but the larger roads are better done by contractors
Q - how did the sidewalks account for so much/
A - can't repair them, mostly replace. Hadn't done this particular slide so not sure exactly what the calculation was
Tabling the OPEB valuation discussion (J Nutting not here)
Susan Gagner - not much to add just yet, the Governor's budget is out and we are scheduled for more local aid, if that holds it is very open to discussion
Intending to get budget at end of March
Per Jeff Roy, there will not be a local aid cut for this fiscal year.
Tri-County assessment is up, we have more kids enrolled there
Special election cost
There will be a primary and election, whether the state picks up the cost is open
Jim Dacey
we may come back to you for an increase in the processing of the parking tickets
have written only $20K of tickets, had budgeted only $3K for the processing
will be looking to see what it will be before year end and may come back in Apr/May with a number that should be good
Excise tax bills will be going out next Monday
Annual report will be reviewed at the Town Council meeting
Management letter to be addressed regarding action items
esp. a policy for fund balances
May be a requirement to put the unfunded pension liability on the balance sheet
The county has not presented that number to us
it will be interesting to see, all net assets will go down when it is added
Clarification on the asset versus liability and the balance sheet
we are funding the liability but not booking it (pension)
we are not funding the liability (OPEB) but booking
motion to adjourn
Franklin Historical Museum: All Aboard!
ALL ABOARD!
The Franklin Historical Museum will host a talk on the history of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail, SNETT.
Guest Speaker Ron Clough of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will give a presentation and discuss the history of SNETT which was designated as part of the National Recreation Trail in 1994.
Join us for an informative look at the Southern New England Railway and trains in Franklin’s history, and learn about the ‘Ghost Train’.
Sunday February 17 @ 1:00pm, 80 West Central Street, Franklin
The Franklin Historical Museum will host a talk on the history of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail, SNETT.
Guest Speaker Ron Clough of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will give a presentation and discuss the history of SNETT which was designated as part of the National Recreation Trail in 1994.
 |
| Franklin Station |
Join us for an informative look at the Southern New England Railway and trains in Franklin’s history, and learn about the ‘Ghost Train’.
Sunday February 17 @ 1:00pm, 80 West Central Street, Franklin
The science of NFL Football
The Library at Dean College has started publishing a blog. Their most recent post shares a series of videos produced by NBC on the "Science of NFL Football". Just because the Super Bowl has officially ended the season doesn't mean there is no more football!
Queue the videos!
You can find the series of 10 short (about 3-4 minute) videos here:
http://www.nbclearn.com/nfl
They don't provide a way to embed the video so you will need to follow the link. For school teachers to leverage this for their classes, there is a way to login via Blackboard and download the videos for free.
Links:
The Dean College Library blog: http://deancultureconnect.wordpress.com/
The Dean College Library post on the football videos
http://deancultureconnect.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/the-science-of-nfl-football/
The Science of NFL Football series
http://www.nbclearn.com/nfl
These videos and more are also available at http://science360.gov/files/ (search for "football"). Note I did not have success in actually viewing the videos on this site. They seemed to take forever 'loading'.
Queue the videos!
You can find the series of 10 short (about 3-4 minute) videos here:
http://www.nbclearn.com/nfl
They don't provide a way to embed the video so you will need to follow the link. For school teachers to leverage this for their classes, there is a way to login via Blackboard and download the videos for free.
Links:
The Dean College Library blog: http://deancultureconnect.wordpress.com/
The Dean College Library post on the football videos
http://deancultureconnect.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/the-science-of-nfl-football/
The Science of NFL Football series
http://www.nbclearn.com/nfl
These videos and more are also available at http://science360.gov/files/ (search for "football"). Note I did not have success in actually viewing the videos on this site. They seemed to take forever 'loading'.
Rep Jeffrey Roy - Office Hours
State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced today that constituent office hours will be held as follows:
Medway – Tuesday Feb 5th = 8:00 AM at the Medway Municipal Building, 155 Village Street, Sanford Hall, 2nd floor, Medway, MA
Franklin – Saturday 16th = 9:00 AM at the Cake Bar, 17 East Central Street, Franklin, MA (Parking on street & in the rear)
Medway – Wednesday 27th = 6:00 PM at Starbucks, 67 Main Street, Medway, MA 02053
Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will be accompanying him.
Representative Roy stated that all office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention. Walk-ins are welcome, no appointment necessary. He looks forward to hearing from you.
He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2425, stop by Room 437 in the State House, or email him at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov.
House rejects governor's call for local aid cut
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/4/13
The House today rejected Gov. Deval Patrick's request for the power to make a 1 percent local aid cut and advanced legislation aimed at snapping this year's budget back into balance.Things you can do from here:
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Registry of Motor Vehicles Unveils MassRMV.com
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 2/4/13
MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles Division has transitioned to a new website making it the first motor vehicle administration in the nation poised to accept advertising in order to generate new revenue.With more than 16 million website visits per year, the switch to www.massrmv.com offers limited advertising opportunities, and allows the RMV to develop clearer navigation to let customers perform their transactions with renewed confidence.
"This is a great example of MassDOT's continued emphasis on making our services more user-friendly," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. "MassRMV.com makes online transactions simpler for the customer and gives us additional revenue opportunities."
During 2012, Registry customers performed more than 3.4 million transactions online, up from 2.9 million transactions in 2011, ranging from license and registration renewals to citation payments to signing up to become organ donors. Advertisements will be limited to select informational pages and are not on customer transaction pages.
"MassRMV.com is now the official website of the Registry of Motor Vehicles where customers may perform 35 different transactions safely and securely," said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian. "We work hard to drive customer traffic to the web, so we recognize our obligation to make this mode of service delivery as convenient as possible."
In September, MassDOT conducted usability testing on the new website design with customers at its Chinatown Branch. Based on customer reviews, navigation bars were redesigned, terminology was changed and special alerts affecting branch operations have been pushed to the forefront at MassRMV.com.
MassRMV.com customers will initially see promotional ads for MassDOT and RMV services while a contract with the advertising vendor, Municipal Media Solutions is finalized. In its first year of operation, the advertisements are expected to generate about $65,000 in new revenue.
Online advertising supplements current advertising partnerships, including those used in RMV mailers to defray mailing and productions costs. A closed-circuit RMV TV network, MVN, targets ads to those likely to be conducting business in Registry Branches and offers PSA time for relevant RMV news and updates.
Things you can do from here:
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Monday, February 4, 2013
Big fund raising day for Franklin non-profits!
This Saturday, Feb 9th, will see two major fund raisers for Franklin based non-profit organizations.
1 - The Random Smile Project holds their 6th Annual Gala from 6:00 PM to midnight at the RI Convention Center, Providence RI.
Additional details and tickets can be purchased online http://www.randomsmile.org/events
2 - The Franklin Food Pantry will be conducting its 3rd Annual Phone-a-thon using the facilities at Dean College.
Additional details can be found on the Food Pantry webpage http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/02/calling-for-pantry.html
1 - The Random Smile Project holds their 6th Annual Gala from 6:00 PM to midnight at the RI Convention Center, Providence RI.
 |
| Random Smile 6th Annual Gala Event |
2 - The Franklin Food Pantry will be conducting its 3rd Annual Phone-a-thon using the facilities at Dean College.
 |
| Franklin Food Pantry - new logo |
Additional details can be found on the Food Pantry webpage http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/02/calling-for-pantry.html
New roof on King St
The fire damage from September 2012 is getting repaired. Robert Catalano's residence at 12-14 King St.
and a second view
The Sep 2012 story
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/franklin-police-officer-saves-man-in.html
 |
| 14 King St under repair |
and a second view
 |
| 14 King St under repair - 2nd view |
The Sep 2012 story
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/franklin-police-officer-saves-man-in.html
Franklin Library: Teen Advisory Board
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“It’s a game and a history lesson all wrapped up in one”
Mark Brady, a teacher at Horace Mann Middle School, uses a board game to help with teaching history.
Read more: Franklin educator uses board game to teach historical lessons - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x1433777900/Franklin-educator-uses-board-game-to-teach-historical-lessons#ixzz2JvNo4Kna
“We can’t bring them back to Mesopotamia, Egypt or Greece, but this (Catan) brings it alive,” Brady said. “One student was so frustrated because he was winning at one point, and the other kids froze him out and wouldn’t trade with him. He said flat out, ‘I now understand why people go to war."
Brady pitched the idea to administrators with help from Tricia Metrick, a science teacher. A grant from the Franklin Education Foundation, a community group that raises money for teachers, purchased the games for classes in sixth, seventh and eighth grade.
Mark the experiment as a success, says Robert Vacca, who teaches eighth-grade world history. Vacca observed one of Brady’s classes and saw immediately that Catan was connecting with students in a way that a textbook never could.
“The kids don’t even realize they’re learning,” he said. “It brings the curriculum to life and, in the process, brings their learning to a higher level. They have to analyze and interpret situations, and, really, that’s what history is all about."
Read more: Franklin educator uses board game to teach historical lessons - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x1433777900/Franklin-educator-uses-board-game-to-teach-historical-lessons#ixzz2JvNo4Kna
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