Zollo - what is status of the construction at Exit 16?
Cantoreggi - the bids are scheduled for June 26th, the work should start in the Fall.
Pfeffer - commends the DPW for preparing the High School for the graduation
motion to adjourn, passed
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Live reporting - FY 10 Budget continued
Nutting - thanks to all the town employees, department heads. They have done a great job. We can see it in the Town Common and the graduation. Thanks to all.
While we are talking about the FY 10 budget, the FY 11 budget is actually worse. The Financial Planning Committee has indicated the problem with their report as well.
Clerk reads the budget.
A copy of the budget can be found on the Town website in the Town Council meeting Agendas with documents
no holds were called - public hearing closed (second hearing is scheduled for Thursday 6/11/09)
While we are talking about the FY 10 budget, the FY 11 budget is actually worse. The Financial Planning Committee has indicated the problem with their report as well.
Clerk reads the budget.
A copy of the budget can be found on the Town website in the Town Council meeting Agendas with documents
no holds were called - public hearing closed (second hearing is scheduled for Thursday 6/11/09)
Live reporting - School Budget - FY 10
From left to right across the table are School Committee Chair Jeff Roy, Supt Wayne Ogden, Asst Supt Maureen Sabolinski, and Business Manager Miriam Goodman
Roy: Budget out of balance by 1.5 million with the teachers decision on the deferment pending their vote this Monday June 15th. We have notified the necessary amount to account for all the contingencies.
Sabolinski: very frustrating budget cycle, have been trying to bring the transportation budget in line as a requirement per the Forensic Audit. In addition to teaching positions, there are two administrative positions at the high school, a data analyst at the central office. These positions would not be returned with any additional funds this year. Additional funds would bring teachers back.
The High School has changed their schedule to accommodate reasonable class sizes. The middle school and elementary schools will see larger class sizes.
The PE/Health requirement has been changed at the High School. It has been reduced to once per week to free up time for course classes.
Bartlett: What has happened to the fees?
Sabolinski: right now the fees are the same. We did look at increasing them and decided not to go that way this year.
Roy: we also looked at the potential revenue loss due to the increased fees.
Zollo: What reductions did we have last year? and the year before?
Ogden: Last year 45, of these 43 were teachers, the year before was 28 of which 8 were custodial and 2 were admin.
Whalen:
Ogden: we know of 6 retirements as of now, we suspect there are four more pending with no obligation for them to provide us notification until June 30th. These retirements will help us avoid some other reductions.
Sabolinski:
Whalen: music programs being cut?
Sabolinski: music programs at the middle school are being shared across the three buildings, the high school choral program teacher will not be maintain her position
Whalen: will other after school activities be cut?
Sabolinski: due to the stipend offered to teachers for the after school programs, there will be less offered. The late bus is also not funded next year which would affect participation.
Whalen:
Sabolinski: in K-8 we don't have other areas to cut, we are looking to protect the core requirements of instruction. They have been cutting for the last 3-4 years, they have no further place to make cuts.
Ogden: the perception that athletic programs are not cut is incorrect.
Bartlett: PE/Health will become an elective?
Ogden: no, it will still be required, the frequency of offering will be reduced to once per week.
Sabolinski: there will be an elective offered for other students to take
Zollo: so the retirements don't affect the 14 positions remaining if you have the 700,000 gap to cover?
Ogden: yes, we still have to get to the total salary requirement coverage of the 14 positions.
5 minute recess
Roy: Budget out of balance by 1.5 million with the teachers decision on the deferment pending their vote this Monday June 15th. We have notified the necessary amount to account for all the contingencies.
Sabolinski: very frustrating budget cycle, have been trying to bring the transportation budget in line as a requirement per the Forensic Audit. In addition to teaching positions, there are two administrative positions at the high school, a data analyst at the central office. These positions would not be returned with any additional funds this year. Additional funds would bring teachers back.
The High School has changed their schedule to accommodate reasonable class sizes. The middle school and elementary schools will see larger class sizes.
The PE/Health requirement has been changed at the High School. It has been reduced to once per week to free up time for course classes.
Bartlett: What has happened to the fees?
Sabolinski: right now the fees are the same. We did look at increasing them and decided not to go that way this year.
Roy: we also looked at the potential revenue loss due to the increased fees.
Zollo: What reductions did we have last year? and the year before?
Ogden: Last year 45, of these 43 were teachers, the year before was 28 of which 8 were custodial and 2 were admin.
Whalen:
Ogden: we know of 6 retirements as of now, we suspect there are four more pending with no obligation for them to provide us notification until June 30th. These retirements will help us avoid some other reductions.
Sabolinski:
Whalen: music programs being cut?
Sabolinski: music programs at the middle school are being shared across the three buildings, the high school choral program teacher will not be maintain her position
Whalen: will other after school activities be cut?
Sabolinski: due to the stipend offered to teachers for the after school programs, there will be less offered. The late bus is also not funded next year which would affect participation.
Whalen:
Sabolinski: in K-8 we don't have other areas to cut, we are looking to protect the core requirements of instruction. They have been cutting for the last 3-4 years, they have no further place to make cuts.
Ogden: the perception that athletic programs are not cut is incorrect.
Bartlett: PE/Health will become an elective?
Ogden: no, it will still be required, the frequency of offering will be reduced to once per week.
Sabolinski: there will be an elective offered for other students to take
Zollo: so the retirements don't affect the 14 positions remaining if you have the 700,000 gap to cover?
Ogden: yes, we still have to get to the total salary requirement coverage of the 14 positions.
5 minute recess
Live reporting - FY 10 Budget hearing
Update on current status, the amount not balanced is about 800,000 off and is really only 1% of the total budget.
From left to right Susan Gagner, Jeff Nutting
11 Town positions lost for FY 2010
An adjustment will be required in the fall for unemployment costs.
Tax levy increased by 2.5%
State revenue has been reduced by 1.5 million (from various sources per the Governor's numbers).
Motor vehicle receipts down driving the total of Local receipts down over 940,000.
Public facilities did increase due to the total number of buildings covered (schools, etc.)
Public Schools are level funded
Regional school has a savings due to a decrease in enrollment and their own budget reduction efforts
Debt did increase, bonding for the Senior Center, Fire truck and a couple of other items drove this increase.
Norfolk County Assessment increased by 180,000
Q&A
Doak - if we have to make additional cuts, can you give any insights as to where they would be coming from?
Nutting - I think they would be split between Town and School. We haven't had that discussion yet. There are really only 5 Town budgets that could absorb any significant amounts. How much more peril do we want to put the Schools in? I'd rather not start making assumptions, it really depends upon what the amount is. If local option tax is coming around, that would be another Council discussion on how it would be used.
Bartlett - when you go to the Capital, are they aware of the impact with layoffs, etc?
Nutting - They know how important Chapter 70 and local aid is to the cities and towns. There is such a budget dilemma, they are trying to weigh all the possibilities. We managed to get co-pay increases this year, will that happen again, can't say.
From left to right Susan Gagner, Jeff Nutting
11 Town positions lost for FY 2010
An adjustment will be required in the fall for unemployment costs.
Tax levy increased by 2.5%
State revenue has been reduced by 1.5 million (from various sources per the Governor's numbers).
Motor vehicle receipts down driving the total of Local receipts down over 940,000.
Public facilities did increase due to the total number of buildings covered (schools, etc.)
Public Schools are level funded
Regional school has a savings due to a decrease in enrollment and their own budget reduction efforts
Debt did increase, bonding for the Senior Center, Fire truck and a couple of other items drove this increase.
Norfolk County Assessment increased by 180,000
Q&A
Doak - if we have to make additional cuts, can you give any insights as to where they would be coming from?
Nutting - I think they would be split between Town and School. We haven't had that discussion yet. There are really only 5 Town budgets that could absorb any significant amounts. How much more peril do we want to put the Schools in? I'd rather not start making assumptions, it really depends upon what the amount is. If local option tax is coming around, that would be another Council discussion on how it would be used.
Bartlett - when you go to the Capital, are they aware of the impact with layoffs, etc?
Nutting - They know how important Chapter 70 and local aid is to the cities and towns. There is such a budget dilemma, they are trying to weigh all the possibilities. We managed to get co-pay increases this year, will that happen again, can't say.
Live reporting - Action items
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
#1 - currently, if a member of Conservation Commission, Planning Board, etc. misses a meeting they can not vote on the final approval. This change allows if they miss one meeting to particiapte via the meeting archives records and continue to provide a vote. If they miss more than one meeting this does not apply.
#2 - the net proceeds of the Four Corners sale could be used for any bondable item (building, roads, fire truck, etc.). It can not be used for operational expenses. The net amount from the sale would be 1.5 million, this uses approx 300,000 leaving 1.2 million still in the account to be used for some other bondable uses.
#3 - correction to amounts on pre-release copy. The amounts also include 4 days at the end of fiscal 2010 that are part of the next pay period in FY 2011 for simplicity sake for the payroll process.
#4 - this is using some monies left over from prior work efforts to re-do the corner at King Street and RT 140. The work will improve traffic flow at the corner for Walgreens.
- Resolution 09-40: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23D and Specification of its General Applicability Approved - 7-0
- Resolution 09-41: Appropriation – Library Repairs Approved - 7-0
- Resolution 09-42: Establishment of Elected Officials’ Salaries- FY 10 Approved - 7-0
- Resolution 09-44: Appropriation – Rt. 140/King Street Construction Approved - 7-0
#1 - currently, if a member of Conservation Commission, Planning Board, etc. misses a meeting they can not vote on the final approval. This change allows if they miss one meeting to particiapte via the meeting archives records and continue to provide a vote. If they miss more than one meeting this does not apply.
#2 - the net proceeds of the Four Corners sale could be used for any bondable item (building, roads, fire truck, etc.). It can not be used for operational expenses. The net amount from the sale would be 1.5 million, this uses approx 300,000 leaving 1.2 million still in the account to be used for some other bondable uses.
#3 - correction to amounts on pre-release copy. The amounts also include 4 days at the end of fiscal 2010 that are part of the next pay period in FY 2011 for simplicity sake for the payroll process.
#4 - this is using some monies left over from prior work efforts to re-do the corner at King Street and RT 140. The work will improve traffic flow at the corner for Walgreens.
Live reporting - 4th of July
Presentation by Michael Walker Jones, Warren Revell
An update on the fund raising status
Garelick Farms has contributed so that the fireworks will be held this year.
The Lions Club has provided support for the parade to be held on July 5th
The committee has a new website www.july4thfranklinma.com
You can contribute to the 4th of July via the donation form on the web site here
There is a mailing going to all residents asking for contributions to this effort.
The group will be accepting donations year-round to continue to maintain and support the events on the 4th this year and future years.
An update on the fund raising status
Garelick Farms has contributed so that the fireworks will be held this year.
The Lions Club has provided support for the parade to be held on July 5th
The committee has a new website www.july4thfranklinma.com
You can contribute to the 4th of July via the donation form on the web site here
There is a mailing going to all residents asking for contributions to this effort.
The group will be accepting donations year-round to continue to maintain and support the events on the 4th this year and future years.
Live reporting - Town Council - 6/10/09
Attending: Whalen, Mason, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, Zollo
Missing: Vallee, McGann
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Cub Scouts
Citizenship awards presented to several Cub Scouts for showing interest in government by attending the Town Council meeting of 6/10/09
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - None
E. APPOINTMENTS
Missing: Vallee, McGann
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Cub Scouts
Citizenship awards presented to several Cub Scouts for showing interest in government by attending the Town Council meeting of 6/10/09
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - None
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Zoning Board of Appeals - Phil Brunelli, as an associate member - approved 6-0, 1 abstention
- Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - re-appointment of existing members, one vacancy remains approved 7-0
Town Council - Agenda - 6/10/09
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Cub Scouts
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM - FY 2010 Budget – Public Hearing
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Franklin 4th of July Committee
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Updated to add two items from the revised agenda
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Cub Scouts
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Zoning Board of Appeals
- Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM - FY 2010 Budget – Public Hearing
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Franklin 4th of July Committee
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
- Resolution 09-40: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23D and Specification of its General Applicability
- Resolution 09-41: Appropriation – Library Repairs
- Resolution 09-42: Establishment of Elected Officials’ Salaries- FY 10
- Resolution 09-44: Appropriation – Rt. 140/King Street Construction
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Updated to add two items from the revised agenda
Congresman Jim McGovern - local office hours
On Saturday, June 13th, Congressman Jim McGovern will hold local office hours to meet and talk with us at the following places:
This is your chance to talk with Congressman McGovern.
Sign up for his newsletter on his web site here
- Medway: Coffee Sensations, 116 Main St, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
- Franklin: Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St, 9:30 - 10:30 AM
- Wrentham: Public Safety Bldg, 89 South St, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
- Plainville: Fire Station, 157 South St, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
- North Attleborough: Richards Memorial Library, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
This is your chance to talk with Congressman McGovern.
Sign up for his newsletter on his web site here
School Committee Mtg 06/09/09
The collection of live reporting posts from the School Committee meeting on June 9, 2009 can be found here:
- Live reporting - closing comments
- Live reporting - Information items
- Live reporting - action items
- Live reporting - school choice
- Live reporting - FY 2010
- Live reporting - Elizabeth S Fitzmaurice
- Live reporting - Senior Project
- Live reporting: New logo awards
- Live reporting: FEF Grant
- Live reporting: School Committee 6/9/09
Treesavers - Jan Bornstein, book signing
Jan Bornstein will be at Treesavers Books to sign on June 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
For more about Jan's books visit her web site
"There is no new news"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
Town Council will hold back-to-back budget hearings tonight and tomorrow, and will consider a general operating budget that is $500,000 less than last year's budget, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
Nutting will advise the council to pass an $88 million budget, also recommended by the Finance Committee, and make any modifications in a few weeks, when the state is expected to have its final numbers.
He is also recommending the council use the governor's original budget numbers, excluding meals and hotels tax revenue, he said.
The Senate budget gives $875,000 less aid money than town officials were anticipating, though that shortfall is likely to drop, Nutting said.
Read the full article on the scheduled Town Council meeting in the Milford Daily News here
You can find the agenda documents on the Town website here
You should participate at the meeting
- in the Council chambers
- or via the live feed
- or via your cable channel
"changed her course of study"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
The School Committee last night closed the public hearing on the budget, unanimously voting to adopt a $50.2 million spending plan for fiscal 2010. They will present it to Town Council tonight.
"We continued the hearing in hopes we'd have new news, but we don't," said School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy.
The Franklin Education Association will vote Monday on whether to accept a proposal to defer their wages for one year, which will save the district $800,000 - or 16 teachers' jobs, Roy said.
"Every dollar that comes back in this budget, whatever the source, will go solely to bringing back positions," Roy said.
Read the full article on the School Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News here
You can find all the live reporting posts, including pictures and a copy of the Senior Project presentation, here
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Live reporting - closing comments
Cafasso - a good first step on the high school (as reported) to get the renovations on the State listing.
Armenio - thank you to the parents on the All Night Party committee, they did a wonderful job.
Sabolinski - the Class of 1959 was a great thing to do, Pandora Carlucci did a nice job welcoming the group. That group was a lot of fun.
Pat Slight- big thank you to all involved! The School Committee doesn't get the recognition that they deserve. It is with great pride to say that I graduated from Franklin High.
Brittany MacLeod - The teachers, even in the hard times, the passion they have, Patrick said a lot of what I would like to say.
Roy - about a half million dollars were given out at the awards night. Ms Ohearn an 8th grade teacher had the students write a letter to themselves that she held and sent to them just before their graduation. The students in some cases had forgetten that they had written the letter.
motion to adjourn
Armenio - thank you to the parents on the All Night Party committee, they did a wonderful job.
Sabolinski - the Class of 1959 was a great thing to do, Pandora Carlucci did a nice job welcoming the group. That group was a lot of fun.
Pat Slight- big thank you to all involved! The School Committee doesn't get the recognition that they deserve. It is with great pride to say that I graduated from Franklin High.
Brittany MacLeod - The teachers, even in the hard times, the passion they have, Patrick said a lot of what I would like to say.
Roy - about a half million dollars were given out at the awards night. Ms Ohearn an 8th grade teacher had the students write a letter to themselves that she held and sent to them just before their graduation. The students in some cases had forgetten that they had written the letter.
motion to adjourn
Live reporting - Information items
Ogden - it is unclear whether the modular units will be dismantled at Davis Thayer as planned due to the current financial situation. We are looking to get a final answer because if they are going to be there, we'd like to use them.
We did jump the gun to publish the pay-to-ride letter to the parent to ensure sufficient time.
Apparently the letter did go out without some language to indicate a possible change in the amount due to the budget.
We did jump the gun to publish the pay-to-ride letter to the parent to ensure sufficient time.
Apparently the letter did go out without some language to indicate a possible change in the amount due to the budget.
Live reporting - action items
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Malone for future enrichment programs for the ECDC. approved 7-0
b. I recommend the continuation of the School Choice Program for the 2009-2010 School Year. approved 7-0
c. I recommend the request of Corine Minkle to declare damaged and outdated books at Oak Street Elementary School as surplus. approved 7-0
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from Natalie Brunelli for the John A. Brunelli Memorial Scholarship at FHS. approved 7-0
e. I recommend adopting the FY10 Budget in the amount of $50,297,820.00. approved 7-0
Added to listing
f. I recommended approval for the FHS Girls Track Team to attend a meet on Sat JUne 13th, 2009 approved 7-0
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Malone for future enrichment programs for the ECDC. approved 7-0
b. I recommend the continuation of the School Choice Program for the 2009-2010 School Year. approved 7-0
c. I recommend the request of Corine Minkle to declare damaged and outdated books at Oak Street Elementary School as surplus. approved 7-0
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from Natalie Brunelli for the John A. Brunelli Memorial Scholarship at FHS. approved 7-0
e. I recommend adopting the FY10 Budget in the amount of $50,297,820.00. approved 7-0
Added to listing
f. I recommended approval for the FHS Girls Track Team to attend a meet on Sat JUne 13th, 2009 approved 7-0
Live reporting - school choice
Ogden - this is much influx because the budget is so influx. You have a need to vote to continue or not. We may keep the student population we have and not expand it any further.
Kelly - Can you explain how it works?
Ogden - once you vote in the affirmative, we will open up an application on the school website. Once the listing is acquired, we will see how many if any of the students could be accommodated. If there are any, there will be a blind lottery to select from amongst the applications.
About 25% of the existing students are children of school employees
Kelly - I know from conversations with school employees it is a great thing for them to have the kids here where they are working. They understand they may not be able to count on it.
Sabolinski - We'll need to look a couple of years out to see what seats could be made available.
Armenio - where are we on the kindergarten numbers?
Sabolinski - we have been flat
Ogden - I suspect that until you make the final decision on full day kindergarten, we may not see some of those that may be currently slotted with a private full day kindergarten.
Sabolinski - add backs would not change the middle school numbers
Kelly - Can you explain how it works?
Ogden - once you vote in the affirmative, we will open up an application on the school website. Once the listing is acquired, we will see how many if any of the students could be accommodated. If there are any, there will be a blind lottery to select from amongst the applications.
About 25% of the existing students are children of school employees
Kelly - I know from conversations with school employees it is a great thing for them to have the kids here where they are working. They understand they may not be able to count on it.
Sabolinski - We'll need to look a couple of years out to see what seats could be made available.
Armenio - where are we on the kindergarten numbers?
Sabolinski - we have been flat
Ogden - I suspect that until you make the final decision on full day kindergarten, we may not see some of those that may be currently slotted with a private full day kindergarten.
Sabolinski - add backs would not change the middle school numbers
Live reporting - FY 2010
No additional news, teachers union has scheduled a vote for June 15th.
We are scheduled to go forward with the public hearing at the Town Council tomorrow night (June 10th)
motion to close the budget hearing
passed 7-0
We are scheduled to go forward with the public hearing at the Town Council tomorrow night (June 10th)
motion to close the budget hearing
passed 7-0
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