The Strategic Planning Overview is now available as a slide cast. The slide show has been synchronized with audio to create a complete listening and viewing experience.
This was the presentation to the Town Council on Wednesday, April 15th.
The slidecast without audio is available here
If you have any questions, you can contact me via email (see link on right column) or via a comment.
Updated: The survey is available here
Friday, April 17, 2009
"You will gain so much knowledge in a short period of time"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
During the start of the Finance Committee's budget hearings for town departments last night, Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting said he anticipates Franklin will run a deficit of $5 million to $6 million for fiscal 2011.
"I have no doubt about it," Nutting said.
Wage and health care co-pay concessions made by all town and school staff are only a one-year stopgap, he said.
"We're building ourselves into a hole for fiscal 2011 - but the other alternative is to lay off 62 teachers and about 35 municipal employees," Nutting said.
Read the full article about the Finance Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News
Read all the live reporting posts covering the same meeting here
Finance Committee - 04/16/09
The collection of live reporting posts from the Finance Committee meeting to start the annual budget review held on Thursday 4/16/09
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Live reporting - Cultural, Animal
Cultural Council
starter funds for matching grant to provide support to local artists in the community
Animal Control
in conjunction with Bellingham, salary paid by Bellingham, we pay certain expenses and gain 24x7 coverage
been going on for 15 years, well oiled and operating
Expansion could be considered but the kennel size would need to be increased
Would cost more to add to the kennel than it would generate in revenue to offset
end of budget hearings
Reminder - Financial Planning Committee meeting being held at Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium on Monday April 27th, 7:00 PM
Earth Day - 9:00 AM on Saturday April 18th, start at Beaver Pond
motion to adjourn
starter funds for matching grant to provide support to local artists in the community
Animal Control
in conjunction with Bellingham, salary paid by Bellingham, we pay certain expenses and gain 24x7 coverage
been going on for 15 years, well oiled and operating
Expansion could be considered but the kennel size would need to be increased
Would cost more to add to the kennel than it would generate in revenue to offset
end of budget hearings
Reminder - Financial Planning Committee meeting being held at Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium on Monday April 27th, 7:00 PM
Earth Day - 9:00 AM on Saturday April 18th, start at Beaver Pond
motion to adjourn
Live reporting - Historical, Memorial, CATV
Historical Commission
Jeff - keeping documents up to date, pay a few bills for the historical commission
had increased from 1,000 to 2,000 in anticipation of the new building up and running. It hasn't yet but it will be used fully once the new building is open.
Memorial Day
purchase of flags for the graves to be put on by volunteers
CATV
We have to budget a minimum amount per subscriber
used to offset the costs of the broadcasts going out over the air waves
set by the license
Jeff - keeping documents up to date, pay a few bills for the historical commission
had increased from 1,000 to 2,000 in anticipation of the new building up and running. It hasn't yet but it will be used fully once the new building is open.
Memorial Day
purchase of flags for the graves to be put on by volunteers
CATV
We have to budget a minimum amount per subscriber
used to offset the costs of the broadcasts going out over the air waves
set by the license
Live reporting - Treasurer/Collector - Debt
Jim Dacey -
Debt
FY 2010 debt peaks, debt stabilization fund set up years ago to handle this peak
(hand out to be updated/included later)
We don't have a lot of room in this part of the budget, these are legal obligations, they need to be paid.
3.5% is reserved for mortgage payment, so we always have room for capital without having to raise tax rates.
The building lasts 60 years, we'll pay it off in 17 years and maintain it.
The police station and Parmenter School are fully paid off.
15 years ago, the call provision was not written into the note at that time.
The Four Corners Building when it gets sold, the funds would be held to pay off the bond until 2014. The excess amount over the purchase price would be held in reserve for use on other capital expenses. Likely to pay off the library and look at other uses of the remainder of the funds.
Treasurer/Collector
New expense item, $35,000 for attorney's title search on foreclosures
Really moving the line from another section of the budget due to proper accounting rules
Reduced 25,000 bills down to 17,000 envelopes to mail (postage savings) with senior services.
Lockbox services handle about 80,000 pieces. Even items dropped in the box at the building or handed over the counter get sent out to the lockbox. They image and index, it makes a really good tool to use.
Debt
FY 2010 debt peaks, debt stabilization fund set up years ago to handle this peak
(hand out to be updated/included later)
We don't have a lot of room in this part of the budget, these are legal obligations, they need to be paid.
3.5% is reserved for mortgage payment, so we always have room for capital without having to raise tax rates.
The building lasts 60 years, we'll pay it off in 17 years and maintain it.
The police station and Parmenter School are fully paid off.
15 years ago, the call provision was not written into the note at that time.
The Four Corners Building when it gets sold, the funds would be held to pay off the bond until 2014. The excess amount over the purchase price would be held in reserve for use on other capital expenses. Likely to pay off the library and look at other uses of the remainder of the funds.
Treasurer/Collector
New expense item, $35,000 for attorney's title search on foreclosures
Really moving the line from another section of the budget due to proper accounting rules
Reduced 25,000 bills down to 17,000 envelopes to mail (postage savings) with senior services.
Lockbox services handle about 80,000 pieces. Even items dropped in the box at the building or handed over the counter get sent out to the lockbox. They image and index, it makes a really good tool to use.
Live reproting - Senior Center
Karen Alves
we provide more than twice the services than you see here
shifted salary of part time bus driver to revolving account using the revenue from the trips to cover the salary
TriValley Elder services we cut this year. They are funded via other sources so it won't affect the services currently being delivered.
How many volunteer hours do we provide?
10,700 hours
The amount of services you provide for the amount you get is amazing.
Nothing has been broached with the other towns in regionalization of services.
The Senior Center benefits from the tax workoff program. Residents over 60 can work in Town departments and gain credit at minimum
The amount of grants received to support the Senior Center operations is approx. $120,000 which would effectively double the existing budget.
we provide more than twice the services than you see here
shifted salary of part time bus driver to revolving account using the revenue from the trips to cover the salary
TriValley Elder services we cut this year. They are funded via other sources so it won't affect the services currently being delivered.
How many volunteer hours do we provide?
10,700 hours
The amount of services you provide for the amount you get is amazing.
Nothing has been broached with the other towns in regionalization of services.
The Senior Center benefits from the tax workoff program. Residents over 60 can work in Town departments and gain credit at minimum
The amount of grants received to support the Senior Center operations is approx. $120,000 which would effectively double the existing budget.
Live reporting - Public Health Services
David E. McKearney, R.S.
nursing services for the community, flu clinics, home visits as mandated by the Dept of Health.
It is a good deal for Franklin, we could not do this internally for less.
nursing services for the community, flu clinics, home visits as mandated by the Dept of Health.
It is a good deal for Franklin, we could not do this internally for less.
Live reporting - Health
David E. McKearney, R.S.
One adjustment, we will eliminate 5 vehicles assigned to staff. Jeff decided this recently. Some individuals that still need transportation will get a travel reimbursement. There would be an adjustment to add the travel expense to some of the budgets, like Health. It should still be a net savings.
May need some additional insurance coverage for business use of the personal car. The expense for that would be in the persons arena.
There is a bubble flowing through, with the freeze implemented this year, we will start 2011 in a 5-6 million hole. We have been pushing the bubble off for about 6-7 years.
One adjustment, we will eliminate 5 vehicles assigned to staff. Jeff decided this recently. Some individuals that still need transportation will get a travel reimbursement. There would be an adjustment to add the travel expense to some of the budgets, like Health. It should still be a net savings.
May need some additional insurance coverage for business use of the personal car. The expense for that would be in the persons arena.
There is a bubble flowing through, with the freeze implemented this year, we will start 2011 in a 5-6 million hole. We have been pushing the bubble off for about 6-7 years.
Live reporting - central services
Norma Collins
copy paper, copy machines, no salaries linked to the line item
did have some savings this year with the annual report now posted on the Town website, less hard copies will be required.
postage will increase May 11th
How many actual annual reports are actually printed?
Jeff - thousands
The expense in the report is in the first copy. After that, the cost is reduced due to the volume.
We still need to do a hard caopy for the public record.
copy paper, copy machines, no salaries linked to the line item
did have some savings this year with the annual report now posted on the Town website, less hard copies will be required.
postage will increase May 11th
How many actual annual reports are actually printed?
Jeff - thousands
The expense in the report is in the first copy. After that, the cost is reduced due to the volume.
We still need to do a hard caopy for the public record.
Live reporting - Finance Committee - 4/16/09
Attending:
Brett S. Feldman
Juan Rivera
Patricia Goldsmith
Phyllis Messere
Rebecca Cameron
John F. Caulfield
Mark Cataldo
Robert Teixeira
James Roche
Tina Powderly (late)
Missing:
Craig Maire
Jeff Nutting provides a brief overview, the budget is still fluid, out of balance by about $115,000-215,000.
The local option tax upon meals could yield about $600,000-800,000 for a full year. We would still need to see how DOR would calculate the collections and disbursements. All kinds of talk, the vote is the only thing that counts though.
You need to get a budget out so you might make it contingent upon the final numbers when they come out in May, June.
Jim Roche - things will be up in the air until the last minute this year.
Susan Gagner - the budget does include the wage freezes already accepted by the unions thus far. The department heads have also taken a reduction in expenses.
Jim - didn't mean to gloss over that fact. As a citizen, I appreciate the effort put in by the unions. People say the government should be run like a business and on one hand I agree, on the other hand what they are giving up they are not getting back when the times get good again.
Bob Fahey - Veterans Service Officer, Outreach coordinator at Senior Center
Over $2 million dollars come into Franklin from the Veterans Administration
1 - for a service connected disability
2 - not service connected disabled but are disabled
$1092/monthly benefits to widows of veterans currently residing in Franklin
If these benefits were not coming to the town, then these folks would be on the Town side of the budget. Likely two, three or four times
19 currently on the Town rolls for veterans
This is truly a human services benefit. What you put forward, the town is reimbursed at a 75% rate a year later.
Currently expending an average of $11,000 per month. Hard to predict exactly how the services are requested.
Town budget is currently calling for 120,000 (versus run rate of 132,000)
MA is the only state that has a local veterans administration. We don't expect changes in reimbursement. What changes may occur to the benefits for the individuals is calculated later.
The benefit allocation does include a cost of living increase already.
Difference in requested vs recommended is due to the salary and the adjustment of the 3% increase frozen. You'll see that in all the budgets.
Brett S. Feldman
Juan Rivera
Patricia Goldsmith
Phyllis Messere
Rebecca Cameron
John F. Caulfield
Mark Cataldo
Robert Teixeira
James Roche
Tina Powderly (late)
Missing:
Craig Maire
Jeff Nutting provides a brief overview, the budget is still fluid, out of balance by about $115,000-215,000.
The local option tax upon meals could yield about $600,000-800,000 for a full year. We would still need to see how DOR would calculate the collections and disbursements. All kinds of talk, the vote is the only thing that counts though.
You need to get a budget out so you might make it contingent upon the final numbers when they come out in May, June.
Jim Roche - things will be up in the air until the last minute this year.
Susan Gagner - the budget does include the wage freezes already accepted by the unions thus far. The department heads have also taken a reduction in expenses.
Jim - didn't mean to gloss over that fact. As a citizen, I appreciate the effort put in by the unions. People say the government should be run like a business and on one hand I agree, on the other hand what they are giving up they are not getting back when the times get good again.
Bob Fahey - Veterans Service Officer, Outreach coordinator at Senior Center
Over $2 million dollars come into Franklin from the Veterans Administration
1 - for a service connected disability
2 - not service connected disabled but are disabled
$1092/monthly benefits to widows of veterans currently residing in Franklin
If these benefits were not coming to the town, then these folks would be on the Town side of the budget. Likely two, three or four times
19 currently on the Town rolls for veterans
This is truly a human services benefit. What you put forward, the town is reimbursed at a 75% rate a year later.
Currently expending an average of $11,000 per month. Hard to predict exactly how the services are requested.
Town budget is currently calling for 120,000 (versus run rate of 132,000)
MA is the only state that has a local veterans administration. We don't expect changes in reimbursement. What changes may occur to the benefits for the individuals is calculated later.
The benefit allocation does include a cost of living increase already.
Difference in requested vs recommended is due to the salary and the adjustment of the 3% increase frozen. You'll see that in all the budgets.
Effort on W.A.S.T.E.D apparently wasted!
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
After discovering an underage drinking party at 4 Beaver Court during a "party patrol" March 27, police arrested two Franklin High School students, and applied for summonses for 27 other Franklin High students, said Deputy Chief Stephan Semerjian.
Christopher N. Puopolo, 18, of 21 Thayer St., and Maxwell J. Taylor, 17, of 6 Cooper Drive, were charged with being minors in possession of alcohol and were given eight hours of community service, according to court records at Milford District Court.
The other students went before a court clerk, and their records will remain private unless the cases proceed to arraignments.
Police came across the party when they were on patrol and noticed an unusual amount of traffic coming in and out of Beaver Court, a dead-end road, Officer Jovan Bielski wrote in the police report.
Officers noticed Puopolo and Taylor taking a 30-pack of beer out of their trunk, which they tried to cover with a sweatshirt as police approached, Bielski said.
When police checked out the party, they found hard alcohol and more beer, and learned that the homeowners were not there, Bielski reported.
Read the full disturbing article in the Milford Daily News here
Review the W.A.S.T.E.D. presentation held at Franklin High School here
"come to an agreement"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
The School Committee has not yet made a decision about whether to accept the teachers union's three conditions for taking a wage freeze, said School Committee member Cora Armenio.
If accepted, the The union's proposal will save the district $1 million, which will preserve the jobs of 20 teachers, said Franklin Education Association President Chandler Creedon Jr., a psychologist at Horace Mann Middle School.
Following a three-hour meeting Monday night, the union voted to approve the a proposal put forward by the Franklin Education Association's executive board to accept a salary freeze and no course reimbursements next year in exchange for the permanent removal of five floating after-school meetings, permanent removal of the need to provide a reason for taking personal days, and the permanent requirement that no meetings be scheduled two weeks prior to the issuing of report cards.
School leaders are glad teachers agreed to freeze their pay, but they were not thrilled that the union brought those other issues into the discussion.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Read my analysis posted yesterday here
over-reliance on state aid "sounds like a ticking time bomb,"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
After 10 months of meeting, researching, and creating a five-year financial outlook, the long-range financial planning committee presented its report to Town Council last night, cautioning Franklin's finances will keep spiraling into the red if all remains status quo.
In his presentation, Vice Chairman Doug Hardesty, a resident and auditor by profession, also warned that Franklin is teetering on non-compliance status with the state in regard to net school spending. The town is on track to fall below the warning level - defined as 5 percent above the minimum - next year, which means the state will intervene and force Franklin to give more money to schools.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Read the live reporting from the Town Council meeting here
Mirage Poetry Night
What:
When:
Where:
Some proceeds from purchases made at the Barnes & Noble that day (by customers who mention Mirage during the transaction) may go towards the literary magazine.
Questions?
Interested in signing up for the slam?
Contact Editor April Crehan: fhsmirage@gmail.com
Mirage Poetry Night to benefit the
Franklin High Literary Magazine
Competitive Youth Slam
Open Mic for All Ages
When:
5:00 - 8:00 PM
APRIL 17, 2009
Where:
Barnes & Noble
270 Hartford Avenue
Bellingham, MA 02019
Exit 18 off 495 in the Stallbrook Plaza near Staples and Market Basket
Some proceeds from purchases made at the Barnes & Noble that day (by customers who mention Mirage during the transaction) may go towards the literary magazine.
Questions?
Interested in signing up for the slam?
Contact Editor April Crehan: fhsmirage@gmail.com
Town Council Mtg Smry 04/15/09
The collection of posts from the Town Council meeting 4/15/09
- Live reporting - Remainder items
- Live reporting - Fin'l Plng Comm - cont'd
- Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee repo...
- Live reporting - Mike D’Angelo
- Live reporting - Legislation - continued
- Live reporting - Rep Vallee
- Live reporting - Legislation for action
- Live reporting: Franklin Schools Strategic Plannin...
- Live reporting - Town Council - 4/15/09
Concerned about Franklin's Finances?
Concerned about Franklin's Finances? GET THE FACTS
Long-Range Financial Planning Committee
Monday, April 27th
7 PM Horace
Mann School
(Mercer Auditorium)
IT’S TIME WELL SPENT
"The community is making out very well in these times"
GateHouse News Service
Rep. James E. Vallee (D-Franklin), House Majority Leader, announced today Franklin and Medway will receive level funding for local public education, as the House Ways and Means budget was released today with Chapter 70 dollars for Franklin and Medway at heartening levels.Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Franklin’s Chapter 70 allocation totals $28,726,70, consistent with its Fiscal Year 2009 apportionment. Medway was level funded, too; the town’s allocation totals $9,230,437.
Each town is also slated to receive additional funding through a federal economic stimulus package for public education under the House Ways and Means proposal, according to Vallee. Franklin’s local aid total, with the inclusion of this funding, would exceed $31 million; Medway’s total would be nearly $12 million.
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