Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
In the News - long term plan, state budget woes
Franklin planners: Override or cut services loom
from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staffMinor corrections to the article. The reports distribution will be to the committee for final review, then to the Town Council to prepare them for their meeting Oct 21. Once finalized, then the report will be available to the current Town Council candidates and to the general population.
The report currently on the Town website is the version reviewed at the open forum held April 27 and reported on here.
Bottom line, the report was brought up to date with the current numbers. When developed earlier this year all the numbers were projections for the FY 2010 budget. Now that the budget is finalized, those numbers were updated throughout the report.
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State budget gap could grow from bad to worse
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee
Attending: Bartlett, Sabolinski, Roche, Kelly, Hardesty, Whalen, Nutting, Cameron,
Missing: Wilschek, Trahan, Zollo
Also present: Glenn Jones (Town Council candidate), Ashley Studley (Milford Daily News reporter)
Reviewing the updated slide deck, slides have the most recent numbers from the FY 2010 budget cycle.
A couple of numbers here and there require further checking.
The train left the station for the high school renovation project, the only question is how many folks jump on. In first or second quarter of 2011 we should have an opportunity to vote on the final number. The state would pay during the early construction period. We would only have to pay our portion in 2012 and after.
We have a good record in that we have built three schools for a total of about $200 per tax bill.
Discussion on how to estimate the high school cost. We will know sometime around next October what the number could be but we don't know now.
Should we include a slide on the roads? Many towns try to budget for road repaving, we don't budget anything. We use Chap 90 and Water funds when we can rebuild the road. We need to acknowledge that the State gives us a lot of money to fix our roads.
You can plan to put something aside for the roads in an up economy that you can't do in a down economy. We should start building a road fund similar to what we have done with the snow/ice.
Municipal per capita spending was added, to provide a comparison against the peers, neighbors and the state average.
The adjustments can be corrected this weekend. Get it to the councilors as soon as completed. They will have time to review it before the next council meeting. The last one before the election.
Missing: Wilschek, Trahan, Zollo
Also present: Glenn Jones (Town Council candidate), Ashley Studley (Milford Daily News reporter)
Reviewing the updated slide deck, slides have the most recent numbers from the FY 2010 budget cycle.
A couple of numbers here and there require further checking.
The train left the station for the high school renovation project, the only question is how many folks jump on. In first or second quarter of 2011 we should have an opportunity to vote on the final number. The state would pay during the early construction period. We would only have to pay our portion in 2012 and after.
We have a good record in that we have built three schools for a total of about $200 per tax bill.
Discussion on how to estimate the high school cost. We will know sometime around next October what the number could be but we don't know now.
Should we include a slide on the roads? Many towns try to budget for road repaving, we don't budget anything. We use Chap 90 and Water funds when we can rebuild the road. We need to acknowledge that the State gives us a lot of money to fix our roads.
You can plan to put something aside for the roads in an up economy that you can't do in a down economy. We should start building a road fund similar to what we have done with the snow/ice.
Municipal per capita spending was added, to provide a comparison against the peers, neighbors and the state average.
The adjustments can be corrected this weekend. Get it to the councilors as soon as completed. They will have time to review it before the next council meeting. The last one before the election.
Hold the date - Nov 7th for LaidOff Camp
I am leading a team to bring the unconference peer-to-peer learning format to the unemployed. Hold the date, Saturday Nov 7th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Who should attend?
If you answered yes to any one of these, then the LaidOff Camp is for you.
The peer-to-peer learning format of the unconference will
Additional details and the registration process will be available by the end of this week.
Who should attend?
- Are you unemployed
- Are you exploring entrepreneurial activities
- Are you currently employed and willing to help
If you answered yes to any one of these, then the LaidOff Camp is for you.
The peer-to-peer learning format of the unconference will
- facilitate sharing the tips and tricks we have all learned while looking for work
- provide additional networking opportunities
- empower the unemployed to take the next step in their job search with more knowledge and confidence
Additional details and the registration process will be available by the end of this week.
Veterans Day Breakfast - Senior Center
The Annual Veterans Day Breakfast to honor Franklin's veterans will be held at the Senior Center on Friday, November 6th at 9:00 AM.
Additional details including how to reserve a spot can be found in this flyer:
Additional details including how to reserve a spot can be found in this flyer:
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Town Council Mtg Smry 10/07/09
The collection of live reported posts from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday 10/7/09
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - Appointments
- Live reporting - Councilor Comments
- Live reporting - License transactions
- Live reporting - brownfields grant hearing
- Live reporting - Town Council - action items
T The posts are a little out of order as I arrived late to the meeting and the agenda was being juggled to fill in time before starting the brownfields public hearing at 7:10 PM. I picked up where they were and then proceeded to catch up with the other items.
In the News - teen sex, Town Council meeting
Coordinated by the Franklin Community Health Council, the first of a series of workshops to help parents talk with their teenagers about sex will be held tonight at Mercer Auditorium at the Horace Mann Middle School on Oak St.
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The actions from the Town Council meeting were reported here
Tonight will be the first of five free workshops Craver will lead throughout the school year. Parents are invited to the school's auditorium from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to ask questions and participate in a detailed discussion.For additional information on the series read:
Workshop to help Franklin parents talk to kids about sex
from The Milford Daily News News RSS-----
The actions from the Town Council meeting were reported here
Franklin OKs $1M bond for high school renovation study
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Live reporting - Closing
The Town Council returned from Executive Session to Open Session 8:20 PM with the only comment being a request for a motion. Motion to adjourn, passed 8-0
Note: there may have been a good reason going into the Executive Session but coming out to say nothing and adjourn seems like a waste of time.
Note: there may have been a good reason going into the Executive Session but coming out to say nothing and adjourn seems like a waste of time.
Live reporting - Appointments
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
Mary Ann Bertone
Motion to accept - passed 8-0
The agenda was juggled during the meeting this evening to meet the schedule for the public hearing at 7:10 without having some "dead time". I came in late to observe the Library resolutions and one added from the Rotary Club (another $500 gift for the Library). I confirmed that this did get approved with reporter Ashley Studley from the Milford Daily News. We compared notes and confirmed names of individuals that spoke during the meeting in a conversation with Bob Dean while waiting for the Council to return from Executive Session.
- Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
Mary Ann Bertone
Motion to accept - passed 8-0
The agenda was juggled during the meeting this evening to meet the schedule for the public hearing at 7:10 without having some "dead time". I came in late to observe the Library resolutions and one added from the Rotary Club (another $500 gift for the Library). I confirmed that this did get approved with reporter Ashley Studley from the Milford Daily News. We compared notes and confirmed names of individuals that spoke during the meeting in a conversation with Bob Dean while waiting for the Council to return from Executive Session.
Live reporting - Councilor Comments
McGann - raised question on how to allow the Franklin Police Dept to provide some information on the status of the Quinn Bill.
Feeley - They can use Citizens Comments with 5 minutes per person. The item is really part of the overall negotiation.
Motion to go to executive session and to return to open meeting
Passed 8-0
Two minute recess
Feeley - They can use Citizens Comments with 5 minutes per person. The item is really part of the overall negotiation.
Motion to go to executive session and to return to open meeting
Passed 8-0
Two minute recess
Live reporting - License transactions
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Applebee’s – Transfer of Stock/New Officer & Director Motion to approve - passed 8-0
Alumni Restaurant & Bar – Change of D/B/A Motion to approve - passed 7-0 (1 abstain, Feeley)
Franklin Wine & Spirits – Transfer of License Motion to approve - passed 8-0
Applebee’s – Transfer of Stock/New Officer & Director Motion to approve - passed 8-0
Alumni Restaurant & Bar – Change of D/B/A Motion to approve - passed 7-0 (1 abstain, Feeley)
Franklin Wine & Spirits – Transfer of License Motion to approve - passed 8-0
Live reporting - brownfields grant hearing
F. HEARINGS - 2010 EPA Brownfields Grant Application – Public Hearing - 7:10 PM
Mr Compton complained about the lack of notification. He is a property owner of the land surrounding the property. Until he called, he was not aware.
The Town would need to supply 40,000 to match if the grant was awarded by the EPA.
Mr Compton complained about the lack of notification. He is a property owner of the land surrounding the property. Until he called, he was not aware.
The Town would need to supply 40,000 to match if the grant was awarded by the EPA.
Live reporting - Town Council - action items
Attending: Whalen, Mason, Vallee, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, McGann, Zollo
Missing: Bartlett
Late to meeting - picking up with Legislation for Action
1. Bylaw Amendment 09-634: Amendment to the Franklin Conservation Bylaw Chapter 181-8D: Term of Years- 2nd t Reading Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
2. Bylaw Amendment 09-635: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Personnel Regulations – 2nd Reading Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
3. Bylaw Amendment 09-636: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Human Resource Management – 2nd Reading Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
4. Resolution 09-61: Appropriation – FHS Feasibility Study Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
Similar discussion to that before the Finance Committee on Tuesday 10/6/09.
Likely for a full project vote only in 2011, will have better estimates as we go along the process
5. Resolution 09-62: Human Resources Policies and Procedures
Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
6. Resolution 09-63: Authorizing Application for EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant
Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
7. Resolution 09-64: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
8. Resolution 09-65: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
Missing: Bartlett
Late to meeting - picking up with Legislation for Action
1. Bylaw Amendment 09-634: Amendment to the Franklin Conservation Bylaw Chapter 181-8D: Term of Years- 2nd t Reading Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
2. Bylaw Amendment 09-635: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Personnel Regulations – 2nd Reading Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
3. Bylaw Amendment 09-636: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Human Resource Management – 2nd Reading Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
4. Resolution 09-61: Appropriation – FHS Feasibility Study Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
Similar discussion to that before the Finance Committee on Tuesday 10/6/09.
Likely for a full project vote only in 2011, will have better estimates as we go along the process
5. Resolution 09-62: Human Resources Policies and Procedures
Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
6. Resolution 09-63: Authorizing Application for EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant
Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
7. Resolution 09-64: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
8. Resolution 09-65: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
Motion to accept - Passed 8-0
Register to vote by October 14th
If you want to vote in the Town Election on November 3rd, you need to register to vote by the close of business next Wednesday, October 14th.
You can go to the Town Clerk's office at the Municipal Building. As you walk in the main entrance, bear to the left. There is a short corridor and at the end of the corridor is the door to the Town Clerk's office.
If you are going to be out of town on November 3rd, you can still vote via absentee ballot. Absentee ballot applications are also available at the Town Clerk's office.
When I called Debbie Pellegri to check on the ballot for the November 3rd election, she said that there had been no changes in the slate of candidates announced previously. All were officially certified. No one had withdrawn their application.
There does remain one open ballot spot for election of a member of the Board of Assessors. If someone would like to run for that spot as a 'write-in' candidate, please contact Debbie Pellegri (508-520-4900) for details on how to conduct that type of campaign. It is important to have the name added by the voters in the same manner. These write-ins will require a manual count and it would be easier if they all were entered the same.
Additional information on voter registration process can be found here
Note: candidate signs can begin to appear no earlier than 14 days before the event, in this case the election on November 3rd. (Hence, signs can be posted beginning October 20th)
There is a Town bylaw to cover election signs. These bylaws are voted on by the Town Council.
You can go to the Town Clerk's office at the Municipal Building. As you walk in the main entrance, bear to the left. There is a short corridor and at the end of the corridor is the door to the Town Clerk's office.
If you are going to be out of town on November 3rd, you can still vote via absentee ballot. Absentee ballot applications are also available at the Town Clerk's office.
When I called Debbie Pellegri to check on the ballot for the November 3rd election, she said that there had been no changes in the slate of candidates announced previously. All were officially certified. No one had withdrawn their application.
There does remain one open ballot spot for election of a member of the Board of Assessors. If someone would like to run for that spot as a 'write-in' candidate, please contact Debbie Pellegri (508-520-4900) for details on how to conduct that type of campaign. It is important to have the name added by the voters in the same manner. These write-ins will require a manual count and it would be easier if they all were entered the same.
Additional information on voter registration process can be found here
Note: candidate signs can begin to appear no earlier than 14 days before the event, in this case the election on November 3rd. (Hence, signs can be posted beginning October 20th)
There is a Town bylaw to cover election signs. These bylaws are voted on by the Town Council.
6) Signs shall not be erected sooner than 14 days before the event to which they pertain (i.e., the offering for sale or lease of the premises, the commencement of construction or the election) and shall be removed within seven days after the conclusion of the event to which they pertain.The full sign bylaw can be found here
In the News - auction, high school renovations, Patriots TV
As reported during the Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday October 6th, the DPW will be the site of a used vehicle auction. The Town is looking to see if they can obtain more money via the auction than they have obtained via trade-in.
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The first step o the long road to finding out exactly how much the high school renovation (including a possible addition) was taken Tuesday with the approval 11-0 by the Finance Committee of a $1 million bond. The bond will be used to take the next steps per the State process on getting the services of a project manager and architect. There will be at least one more appropriation request before we know the total dollar amount that the project will cost. It will likely not be until late 2011 before the Town gets to vote on some amount of debt override to complete the process and authorize the funds to actually break ground.
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The headline should be corrected to read "Franklin students tackle Patriots TV host spot"
Auction of used Franklin vehicles tomorrow
from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS-----
The first step o the long road to finding out exactly how much the high school renovation (including a possible addition) was taken Tuesday with the approval 11-0 by the Finance Committee of a $1 million bond. The bond will be used to take the next steps per the State process on getting the services of a project manager and architect. There will be at least one more appropriation request before we know the total dollar amount that the project will cost. It will likely not be until late 2011 before the Town gets to vote on some amount of debt override to complete the process and authorize the funds to actually break ground.
Franklin may spend $1 million on high school study
from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS-----
The headline should be corrected to read "Franklin students tackle Patriots TV host spot"
Franklin students tackles Patriots TV host spot
Finance Comm 10/06/09
The collection of live reported posts from the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, October 6th can be found here:
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Live reporting - Finance Committee - cont'd
Free cash is the money left over from the prior budget year. The State needs to verify and validate that amount. We should have that number in a November timeframe. We will have free cash but we won't know about how much until later.
FY 10 - State has a revenue shortfall, it is very likely we'll be looking at local aid reductions of some kind. The Governor will propose, then the Legislature will need to accept. We have a couple of vacancies open and on hold in anticipation of what may come. As long as the State is in trouble, we are in trouble. We get 38% of our revenue from the State. The State funding for Chapter 70 went down for the first time in years. Probably not for the last time.
The good news is we work very well with the Schools. If it is a small cut, we'll figure it out. If it is a larger cut, we'll need some help deciding which way to go.
The Governor prepares his budget in February. We'll have an idea of what FY 11 will look like from that estimate.
The Legislature takes a break around Thanksgiving so if he makes his recommendation before then, they should take some action. We should know by Thanksgiving.
Our revenues at a local level. We have collected 99% of our property taxes.
The Meals tax fund, started Oct will show up as a quarterly payment on our Cherry sheet. The DOR gave us an estimate based upon the prior years activity. Some of that is already built into our budget.
The other one is our Hotel/Motel tax. The Town Council voted to increase that. In this fiscal year, we figure it might be about 70,000. In a full year, it would be about 150,000. This goes into the Open Space fund. We have about 1.7 million in the fund now to potentionally buy some open space as it becomes available.
The policy has been to use it for Open Space. The Council can review that. When folks see the long list of capital requirements, they would be an opportunity to use it elsewhere.
Net school spending chart to be added later.
The numbers have been trending down, currently at 1.3% over the State required minimum level.
Dropped from 4.9 to 1.3 in one year. Once it drops below zero, the pressure is to take money from elsewhere.
In 1993, local taxes paid for 70% of the Town budget, now it is down to 48%.
We have a reasonable fund balance. We don't dip into reserves. We make decisions. Financial stability is important to the bond market. We have a long term team with a good track record.
Quality education is not about spending the minimum. It is not just a legal issue it is the quality of education.
Auction at DPW at 9:00 AM.
They will try an auction in lieu of trade ins. $100 minimum for all but four items.
Q - How is the librayr sharing arrangement going.
A - Actually have a meeting this Friday per our arrangement to meet quarterly and review. I think we need to do more of this.
Q - Senate special election covered by the State
A - yes, that is what they have said
Q - Did we get any Federal Stimulus money
A - We applied for a lot but didn't get any.
Q - Museum renovations, how are they going?
A - Except for the windows, the lead time is long, the work is on schedule and on budget.
Bandstand under construction with donated money.
Town Council Candidate forum 10/26/09 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers
Also at the Senior Center, Weds, 10/28/09 at 9:30 AM
In a tough economy, driving around things are looking good.
Water rates may be in jeopardy of an increase if consumption continues to decline.
Motion to adjourn, passed 11-0
FY 10 - State has a revenue shortfall, it is very likely we'll be looking at local aid reductions of some kind. The Governor will propose, then the Legislature will need to accept. We have a couple of vacancies open and on hold in anticipation of what may come. As long as the State is in trouble, we are in trouble. We get 38% of our revenue from the State. The State funding for Chapter 70 went down for the first time in years. Probably not for the last time.
The good news is we work very well with the Schools. If it is a small cut, we'll figure it out. If it is a larger cut, we'll need some help deciding which way to go.
The Governor prepares his budget in February. We'll have an idea of what FY 11 will look like from that estimate.
The Legislature takes a break around Thanksgiving so if he makes his recommendation before then, they should take some action. We should know by Thanksgiving.
Our revenues at a local level. We have collected 99% of our property taxes.
The Meals tax fund, started Oct will show up as a quarterly payment on our Cherry sheet. The DOR gave us an estimate based upon the prior years activity. Some of that is already built into our budget.
The other one is our Hotel/Motel tax. The Town Council voted to increase that. In this fiscal year, we figure it might be about 70,000. In a full year, it would be about 150,000. This goes into the Open Space fund. We have about 1.7 million in the fund now to potentionally buy some open space as it becomes available.
The policy has been to use it for Open Space. The Council can review that. When folks see the long list of capital requirements, they would be an opportunity to use it elsewhere.
Net school spending chart to be added later.
The numbers have been trending down, currently at 1.3% over the State required minimum level.
Dropped from 4.9 to 1.3 in one year. Once it drops below zero, the pressure is to take money from elsewhere.
In 1993, local taxes paid for 70% of the Town budget, now it is down to 48%.
We have a reasonable fund balance. We don't dip into reserves. We make decisions. Financial stability is important to the bond market. We have a long term team with a good track record.
Quality education is not about spending the minimum. It is not just a legal issue it is the quality of education.
Auction at DPW at 9:00 AM.
They will try an auction in lieu of trade ins. $100 minimum for all but four items.
Q - How is the librayr sharing arrangement going.
A - Actually have a meeting this Friday per our arrangement to meet quarterly and review. I think we need to do more of this.
Q - Senate special election covered by the State
A - yes, that is what they have said
Q - Did we get any Federal Stimulus money
A - We applied for a lot but didn't get any.
Q - Museum renovations, how are they going?
A - Except for the windows, the lead time is long, the work is on schedule and on budget.
Bandstand under construction with donated money.
Town Council Candidate forum 10/26/09 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers
Also at the Senior Center, Weds, 10/28/09 at 9:30 AM
In a tough economy, driving around things are looking good.
Water rates may be in jeopardy of an increase if consumption continues to decline.
Motion to adjourn, passed 11-0
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