Present: Doug Hardesty, Deb Bartlett, Orrin Bean, John Hogan, Ken Harvey, Craig DiMarzio, Graydon Smith, Tina Powderly (ex officio), Jeff Nutting (ex officio)
Absent: none
meeting opened after the committee was sworn in by Town Clerk Deb Pellegri
the group made a round of introductions
draft charter presented for discussion and revision, 'strawman'
focus on the facts and details of the financial issues
when decisions are made that will affect a multi-year outlook, the committee should be able to weigh in on those in a timely manner; would not be focusing on the day-to-day operational items, the Town Council has the oversight of the Administrator, who in turn directs the activities of the town departments.
what are the cost drivers?
They vary. Collective bargaining is a challenge. to adjust the co-pay requires talking with each of the 13 unions. The State also has a myriad of rules and regulations around purchasing, bottom line it doesn't always guarantee the best price.
Most of the expense side is statutorily driven. We do need a clerk, a health inspector, etc. However, this is no law that says we have to have a police and fire department.
We are paying for the inefficiencies of a long term parochial system which is very, very difficult to change at the local level.
"We know what we want to do it if we could do it" The more attention that is brought to it, the better chance we'll have of actually getting something done.
Charter is not finalized as we wanted to get time for people to think about it and have an opportunity to suggest changes before the Town Council does finalize it.
"come up with a document to tell the story to the town in a way that is credible"
group assignments to draw on individual preferences and strengths
review of the final report of the prior committee from last year (PDF)
review of the Chap 70 story, growth from $4M to $28M over about 15 years
due to census data from 1990's on community wealth and the rapid growth of the school population from 3,000 to 6,000
There are things that are not in the school budget that the Town provides; facilities being the major one, debt service is another.
Charter school - how is that funded? The State sends a portion of our Chap 70 directly to the Charter School. The funding formula has been debated forever.
The Governor's budget due is Jan 26th followed in the next several weeks by the House and the Senate versions with an overall conference committee agreement before getting finalized by July 1
discussion on timeline for deliverables, a brief update (similar to the mid-year report) in an April time frame with updates to sections as needed. Look at when the data will be available and include that in the timelines (i.e. the tax rates are set in Dec so would be available from the State after that).
"It is great in telling what we paid for it, can you tell me what I actually got for it?" Can we benchmark ourselves on what we are achieving?
What new analysis do we want to do and add to this document?
Next meeting Jan 26th
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
MassBudget Briefs: Fiscal Year 2012 Budget, Chapter 70 Previews
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108 |
Downtown Partnership - Meeting Info
Monday, January 10 at 7 pm
Dean College's Alden Center (S11)
located in the Arthur W. Pierce Center for Science and Technology
The public is invited to provide feedback to the PWED grant-funded portion of the Downtown Franklin Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project.
Networking Luncheon
Friday, January 14 at 1:00 pm
Dean College Campus Center Cafeteria
Cost: $5
Please note: We will be meeting in the new cafeteria, NOT the Golder Room.
For more details please email Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com
General Meeting
Thursday, January 20 at 8:30 am
Dean College Campus Center, Golder Room, 2nd Floor
We welcome all new members!
We encourage downtown business owners to attend!
Networking Luncheon
Friday, February 11 at 1:00 pm
Dean College Campus Center Cafeteria
Cost: $5
For more details contact Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com
"it doesn't fit the script"
Here is one listing that I am glad MA did not make. The list also helps to put our budget crisis into perspective. As bad as it is, there are others far worse.
Franklin, MA
But there's one state, which is fairly high up on the list of troubled states that nobody is talking about, and there's a reason for it.
The state is Texas.
This month the state's part-time legislature goes back into session, and the state is starting at potentially a $25 billion deficit on a two-year budget of around $95 billion. That's enormous. And there's not much fat to cut. The whole budget is basically education and healthcare spending. Cutting everything else wouldn't do the trick. And though raising this kind of money would be easy on an economy of $1.2 trillion, the new GOP mega-majority in Congress is firmly against raising any revenue.You can read the full post here
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tree Pickup - Alternatives
Thanks to Paula Lombardi, Office Manager for the DPW, for providing the following info:
- If you have missed your day of pick up this week maybe you can contact a friend or relative in Franklin who may have a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday pickup and ask if you can put the tree at their curbside.
- The Beaver Street Recycle Center is open Friday and Saturday throughout the year from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- All trees must be free of ornaments and tinsel. Do not place in a plastic bag.
Food security: waste not, want not
A good friend of mine pointed this movie out to me over the holidays. Hunger and food security are big issues world wide. The Franklin Food Pantry is working to provide food for those who need it amongst us.
I hope that this doesn't spoil your appetite.
I do hope that you'll consider portions when eating.
To learn more about food security, consider reading from these sources:
Franklin, MA
I hope that this doesn't spoil your appetite.
I do hope that you'll consider portions when eating.
To learn more about food security, consider reading from these sources:
- Food security learning center http://www.whyhunger.org/programs/fslc.html
- USDA Food Security resources http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsec/Resources.htm
- Community Food Security Coalition http://www.foodsecurity.org/
Franklin, MA
Christmas trees will be picked up on your trash day this week
I went digging for my copy of the Curbside Chronicle to find out the Christmas Tree pick up schedule. Good thing I did. The trees will be picked up on the day of your regular trash schedule this week. Yes, this week from Jan 3 - Jan 7.
Last year, the tree pickup was scheduled for Saturday of this week. I guess I will be taking down the tree tonight to make our Wednesday trash schedule day.
FranklinCurbsideChronicle_JanMar_2011
Franklin, MA
Last year, the tree pickup was scheduled for Saturday of this week. I guess I will be taking down the tree tonight to make our Wednesday trash schedule day.
FranklinCurbsideChronicle_JanMar_2011
Franklin, MA
Monday, January 3, 2011
"I think it's good to have fresh eyes look"
Areas to be discussed include Emmons Street between Main Street and Hillside Road, Dean Avenue between Main and Ray streets, Ray Street, Depot Street and the town's Depot Street parking lot.
Town officials hope the work, which will be paid for through a $1 million state public works grant, will fix deteriorated roads and sidewalks, improve drainage and stormwater systems and stimulate private investment downtown, Taberner said.
"This is a section we wouldn't have been able to afford if we didn't get that (grant)," Taberner said.
The construction is part of a $7.25 million downtown revitalization project to eliminate one-way traffic, install decorative streetlights, improve sidewalks and curbs and resurface streets. Work on main streets will be covered by a $5 million federal grant, which will be matched by about $1.25 million in state and local funds.
Public urged to talk on plans for Franklin streets
byRelated posts:
- The plan for Franklin Center - 2003
- Transit Oriented Development
- Downtown Parking - is there enough or not?
- Public Meeting regarding the PWED Project Draft Pl...
Franklin, MA
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Fiscal year 2012 - budget information
This page collects all the writing and information on the FY 2012 budget
Long Range Financial Planning Committee meetings
School Budget Workshop
Preliminary School Budget document
Handout for the Workshop
Workshop notes - part 1
Workshop notes - part 2
School Space needs report
Kindergarten: full vs. half-day
My analysis from 2010 can be found here
School budget hearing (held 2/15/11)
Center for American Progress report touts Franklin as a high performing district
Mass Budget's analysis of the Gov Budget (1/26/11)
Gov Patrick's full budget for FY 2012 (1/26/11)
Gov Patrick's local aid and Chap 70 (1/26/11)
Gov Patrick proposes local aid cuts (1/21/11)
Chapter 70 info from MASSBudget (1/5/11)
Capital expenditures from 'free cash' FY 2010 (12/8/10)
Jeff Nutting's outlook from November 2010 (11/03/10)
Town Budget workshop from Jan 2010
This three hour meeting was recorded and the documents used are all available here
The numbers will change for this year but the story behind the numbers won't differ much.
Citizens against waste - question collection
Franklin, MA
Long Range Financial Planning Committee meetings
- Long Range Financial Planning Committee 02/23/11
- Long Range Financial Planning Committee 02/09/11
- Long Range Financial Planning Committee 01/05/11
School Budget Workshop
Preliminary School Budget document
Handout for the Workshop
Workshop notes - part 1
Workshop notes - part 2
School Space needs report
Kindergarten: full vs. half-day
My analysis from 2010 can be found here
School budget hearing (held 2/15/11)
Center for American Progress report touts Franklin as a high performing district
Mass Budget's analysis of the Gov Budget (1/26/11)
Gov Patrick's full budget for FY 2012 (1/26/11)
Gov Patrick's local aid and Chap 70 (1/26/11)
Gov Patrick proposes local aid cuts (1/21/11)
Chapter 70 info from MASSBudget (1/5/11)
Capital expenditures from 'free cash' FY 2010 (12/8/10)
Jeff Nutting's outlook from November 2010 (11/03/10)
Town Budget workshop from Jan 2010
This three hour meeting was recorded and the documents used are all available here
The numbers will change for this year but the story behind the numbers won't differ much.
Citizens against waste - question collection
Franklin, MA
"the national economic crisis has caused real pain"
Reconfirming a strong link between education and economic success, the report notes that Bay State hourly wages and household incomes leapt from near the national average 30 years ago to among the top in the nation today.
Yet those with less education are struggling to find jobs at higher rates than past downturns. People with only high school degrees are unemployed at nearly twice the rate of those with a bachelor's degrees or higher, the report says.
While the report points to Massachusetts' strengths, it also highlights the need for better training for less educated workers to gain middle-level skills, said Robert Tannenwald, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities.
Such skills are important to the state's economy in growing sectors such as niche manufacturing and the medical technician field, he said.
"The high school diploma doesn't cut it anymore, but you don't quite need the college degree either," said Tannenwald, whose organization is affiliated with the report's authors. "You need specialized skill."You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
You can read the full report at its source here
Franklin, MA
In the News - senior tax abatements
For seniors, town jobs can reduce property tax bills
byWhile not specifically referenced in this article, Franklin is one of the communities that offers this. In fact, early in 2010, the Town Council increased the amounts available for seniors to take advantage of.
The first discussion was February 10 when Tina Powderly provided the update on the Senior Outreach initiatives. http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/live-reporting-senior-outreach.html
On March 3, the Town Council voted unanimously to accept the four proposals (Zollo absent):
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/live-reporting-actions.html
Franklin, MA
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
MBTA Tests Commuter Rail "Quiet Cars"
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 12/31/10
On Monday morning, January 3rd, the MBTA and MBCR will begin the "Quiet Car" program on rush-hour trains on the Fitchburg and Franklin commuter rail lines.
The pilot program is to run for 90 days, during which time riders on the two lines will be asked to provide feedback on their experience with the program. Depending on customer response to the pilot program, the MBTA and MBCR will consider the deployment of "Quiet Cars" on all thirteen Commuter Rail lines.
MBTA General Manager Richard Davey said the program is the result of a recent survey, which indicated significant demand for passenger coaches free from cell phone chatter.
The car closest to the locomotive will be designated as the 'quiet car.' Customers using it will be asked to refrain from cell phone use; keep pagers, cell phones, laptop and PDA sounds off or to vibrate; and speak in whispers. Riders seated in a quiet car who need to use the phone will be asked to move to another car for the duration of their call. Conductors will make normal announcements during the trip. Conductors will be authorized to lift quiet car restrictions during any periods of service disruption or heavy passenger volume.
For more information, as well as tips for riding the "Quiet Car," please visit www.MBTA.com.
The pilot program is to run for 90 days, during which time riders on the two lines will be asked to provide feedback on their experience with the program. Depending on customer response to the pilot program, the MBTA and MBCR will consider the deployment of "Quiet Cars" on all thirteen Commuter Rail lines.
MBTA General Manager Richard Davey said the program is the result of a recent survey, which indicated significant demand for passenger coaches free from cell phone chatter.
The car closest to the locomotive will be designated as the 'quiet car.' Customers using it will be asked to refrain from cell phone use; keep pagers, cell phones, laptop and PDA sounds off or to vibrate; and speak in whispers. Riders seated in a quiet car who need to use the phone will be asked to move to another car for the duration of their call. Conductors will make normal announcements during the trip. Conductors will be authorized to lift quiet car restrictions during any periods of service disruption or heavy passenger volume.
For more information, as well as tips for riding the "Quiet Car," please visit www.MBTA.com.
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- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
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Franklin wants your business
The one page summary of benefits for businesses to locate in Franklin, MA:
Franklin Wants Your Business
Franklin, MA
Franklin Wants Your Business
Franklin, MA
Sample Census Data for Franklin, MA
The NY Times has a pretty slick interactive map tool based upon sample Census data. Input the Franklin zip code (02038) and see the results:
http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/explorer?hp
Franklin, MA
http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/explorer?hp
Franklin, MA
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