The Parmenter School sign has a current listing of events being held:
I don't get to around to all the schools in my travels but if you happen to see a good sign update, please send it along and we can share it here or on Facebook.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Parmenter School - sign with upcoming events
Franklin, MA:
The Parmenter School sign has a current listing of events being held:
The Parmenter School sign has a current listing of events being held:
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 3/09/10
Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.
Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the February 23, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. FY11 Budget
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Readings:
1. EB – Safety Program
2. EEA – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility
3. EEB – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility
Anti-Bullying Task Force
4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Policy EB – Safety Program.
b. I recommend adoption of Policy EEA - – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility
c. I recommend adoption of Policy EEB - – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Charron & Michael Holtzman in memory of Barbara Esterly, FHS cafeteria worker for the FHS gift account.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2920.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips and buses.
f. I recommend approval of the request of Judi Bassignani for the Parmenter 4th Grade field trip to the VMA Art & Cultural Center in Providence, RI on June 5, 2010.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for a 1st grade field trip and buses to Drumlin Farm.
h. I recommend approval of the 7th Grade RMS field trip to Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, RI to see the play “Eureka!”.
i. I recommend approval to establish the Franklin Arts Academy (FAA) using the small learning community model, at FHS for the 2010-2011 school year.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $7000.00 from the Keller PCC for 2 field trips & buses to the Museum of Science and Roger Williams Zoo.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1170.75 from Lifetouch for the Annie Sullivan MS student activity fund.
l. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 25 Laptop computers from Boston Scientific C/O (Christine Tattrie) to the Franklin Public Schools Technology Department.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparisons
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Executive Session
Grievance
8. Adjourn
FM #59 - Week ending 3/7/10
This internet radio show or podcast is number 59 in the series for Franklin Matters.
The Oscars are underway, on the West Coast as I record this session. Let's just take about ten minutes to keep current with what matters here in Franklin, MA as the week ends March 7, 2010
Time: 9 minutes, 59 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 59 in the series for Franklin Matters.
The Oscar's are about to begin on the West Coast as I record this weekly review. Let's take about ten minutes to keep current with what matters here in Franklin, MA as the week ends March 7, 2010. As a reward for paying attention to this session you can give yourself an Oscar for civic engagement!
In this session I’ll cover the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Mar 3. The meeting lasted only one hour and is available for review via video on demand on the Town website here.
During this quick and effective meeting, three major items occurred that you should be aware of.
1 – for senior citizens, there were four changes made to four items that should help cash flow
If you are a senior citizen, you can check with Karen Alves, Bob Fahey, or the Board of Assessors for further details on how you may qualify for these changes.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/live-reporting-senior-outreach.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/live-reporting-actions.html
2 – The bio-tech changes to the zoning bylaws were reviewed in a formal hearing and moved to a second reading. Assuming passage at the second reading, which is likely during the meeting March 17th, they will go into effective and help improve Franklin's ability to attract bio-tech business to our two industrial parks.
3 – the third major item covered was the audit report for Fiscal Year 2009. The audit was clean, there were a couple of minor items recommended, they did not rise to a level of significant or of any serious nature. This is very good for Franklin, The process and procedures put into place with the new accounting system, and especially since the School Dept problem that occurred in FY 2005/2006, the town audits have been clean. It will still take some time for some folks to truly believe that the Town is operating fiscally responsibly but for the rest of us, we can rest easier.
So that was the week that was!
Looking ahead
Two major meetings will happen this week that you should be actively involved with.
First up, the School Committee meeting on Tuesday. Aside from the normal school business, a lot of good does happen in these meetings, the single major item to be concerned with is the first look at the FY 2011 school budget.
The proposal is for $1.9 million more than last year (which is the current operating school year) or a 3.9% increase. Amongst the many details is only a 2.5% increase for salaries which is what they are already obligated to based upon the teacher contract deferral for the current year. You may recall that the teachers, administration and other school district employees did defer their scheduled cost of living increase this year. Does it really mean the Sch Com is going to negotiate with the teachers for no increase for FY 2011 and beyond as part of the new contract? This should be interesting to see.
Another item that caught my eye is why you won't hear the budget called a “level service” budget. There is a proposal to restore the late bus. Now you should be well aware that while this made it into the 2008-2009 calendar year at the last minute, it fell out of the current 2009-2010 budget. For now, it is proposed to return for next September.
The final item that caught my eye was the lack of a starting point tying this budget to last year. They mention the Town funded amount as a starting point to calculate the basis for the 3.9% increase. You may recall, the School Budget for this year was referred to as “level funded plus”. Plus because the influx of Federal and State stimulus funds were all added to the budget that those of us in the Town funded. This created the disconnect last year where they were going to be cutting up to 60 teaching positions and ultimately ended up cutting 23. Now don't miss-read that this was not a good thing for the school system, the teachers and students. It did significantly cut into the trust factor that the School Committee has worked hard to build.
They did commit to providing a single page summary sheet to keep track of the budget changes as the budget season progresses, I was hoping they would start with a reconciliation from last time which we did not get.
You can review the budget document details on the School Committee blog:
http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/fy11-budget-to-be-presented-at-next-meeting/
2 – the second meeting of importance this week is a new one on the calendar. It was apparently added after the Town Council meeting last Wednesday which is why they missed an opportunity to advertise it. There is a special meeting on Wednesday March 10th in the Council Chambers to review and discuss the proposed charter changes. Exactly what the charter changes are remains to be seen. There is not yet a document posted and hopefully there will be something to review before arriving at the meeting.
Why is the Charter so important? Let me read the preamble:
Please participate in this meeting, this is how we decide to do business.
If we don't like it, our time to change it is now.
We talked about the Town Council meeting of 3/3
Tax relief for seniors, bio-tech zoning changes move along the process and the audit came out clean.
All reasons for Franklin voters to celebrate!
And we talked about the two important meetings this week, the School Committee meeting on Tues, the Charter review meeting on Weds
I look forward to your active participation in both meetings
As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don’t like something, please tell me
Thank you for listening!
The Oscars are underway, on the West Coast as I record this session. Let's just take about ten minutes to keep current with what matters here in Franklin, MA as the week ends March 7, 2010
Time: 9 minutes, 59 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 59 in the series for Franklin Matters.
The Oscar's are about to begin on the West Coast as I record this weekly review. Let's take about ten minutes to keep current with what matters here in Franklin, MA as the week ends March 7, 2010. As a reward for paying attention to this session you can give yourself an Oscar for civic engagement!
In this session I’ll cover the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Mar 3. The meeting lasted only one hour and is available for review via video on demand on the Town website here.
During this quick and effective meeting, three major items occurred that you should be aware of.
1 – for senior citizens, there were four changes made to four items that should help cash flow
- Property Tax Deferrals For Seniors – Gross Receipts Limit is now indexed to the State/Federal Cost of living calculations.
- Exemption amount for those who are blind, is raised from 437 to $500
- Property Tax Exemption is increased from $500 to 750
- Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program, the hourly wage is raised to equal the minimum wage at $8.
If you are a senior citizen, you can check with Karen Alves, Bob Fahey, or the Board of Assessors for further details on how you may qualify for these changes.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/live-reporting-senior-outreach.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/live-reporting-actions.html
2 – The bio-tech changes to the zoning bylaws were reviewed in a formal hearing and moved to a second reading. Assuming passage at the second reading, which is likely during the meeting March 17th, they will go into effective and help improve Franklin's ability to attract bio-tech business to our two industrial parks.
3 – the third major item covered was the audit report for Fiscal Year 2009. The audit was clean, there were a couple of minor items recommended, they did not rise to a level of significant or of any serious nature. This is very good for Franklin, The process and procedures put into place with the new accounting system, and especially since the School Dept problem that occurred in FY 2005/2006, the town audits have been clean. It will still take some time for some folks to truly believe that the Town is operating fiscally responsibly but for the rest of us, we can rest easier.
So that was the week that was!
Looking ahead
Two major meetings will happen this week that you should be actively involved with.
First up, the School Committee meeting on Tuesday. Aside from the normal school business, a lot of good does happen in these meetings, the single major item to be concerned with is the first look at the FY 2011 school budget.
The proposal is for $1.9 million more than last year (which is the current operating school year) or a 3.9% increase. Amongst the many details is only a 2.5% increase for salaries which is what they are already obligated to based upon the teacher contract deferral for the current year. You may recall that the teachers, administration and other school district employees did defer their scheduled cost of living increase this year. Does it really mean the Sch Com is going to negotiate with the teachers for no increase for FY 2011 and beyond as part of the new contract? This should be interesting to see.
Another item that caught my eye is why you won't hear the budget called a “level service” budget. There is a proposal to restore the late bus. Now you should be well aware that while this made it into the 2008-2009 calendar year at the last minute, it fell out of the current 2009-2010 budget. For now, it is proposed to return for next September.
The final item that caught my eye was the lack of a starting point tying this budget to last year. They mention the Town funded amount as a starting point to calculate the basis for the 3.9% increase. You may recall, the School Budget for this year was referred to as “level funded plus”. Plus because the influx of Federal and State stimulus funds were all added to the budget that those of us in the Town funded. This created the disconnect last year where they were going to be cutting up to 60 teaching positions and ultimately ended up cutting 23. Now don't miss-read that this was not a good thing for the school system, the teachers and students. It did significantly cut into the trust factor that the School Committee has worked hard to build.
They did commit to providing a single page summary sheet to keep track of the budget changes as the budget season progresses, I was hoping they would start with a reconciliation from last time which we did not get.
You can review the budget document details on the School Committee blog:
http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/fy11-budget-to-be-presented-at-next-meeting/
2 – the second meeting of importance this week is a new one on the calendar. It was apparently added after the Town Council meeting last Wednesday which is why they missed an opportunity to advertise it. There is a special meeting on Wednesday March 10th in the Council Chambers to review and discuss the proposed charter changes. Exactly what the charter changes are remains to be seen. There is not yet a document posted and hopefully there will be something to review before arriving at the meeting.
Why is the Charter so important? Let me read the preamble:
We, the people of the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts, in order to form a more
perfect community, reaffirm the customary and traditional liberties of the people
with respect to the conduct of our local government and take fullest advantage of
the Home Rule Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, do ordain
and adopt this Home Rule Charter for our Town.
Please participate in this meeting, this is how we decide to do business.
If we don't like it, our time to change it is now.
We talked about the Town Council meeting of 3/3
Tax relief for seniors, bio-tech zoning changes move along the process and the audit came out clean.
All reasons for Franklin voters to celebrate!
And we talked about the two important meetings this week, the School Committee meeting on Tues, the Charter review meeting on Weds
I look forward to your active participation in both meetings
As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don’t like something, please tell me
Thank you for listening!
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Volunteers Needed – Saturday, March 27th
The Historical Commission is happy to announce that the new museum will be opening May 15th to the public. The commission is very excited!
Your assistance is requested in moving some of the materials from the “Old” museum to the “New” museum on March 27th (Saturday) beginning at 10:00am. Packing has already been completed and now we need help to remove boxes and items.
If you have a van or truck “WE NEED YOU”. We also need volunteers to transfer items into trucks and vans from the “Old” to the “New”. You will be directed by Commission members during the move.
Please email dpellegri@franklin.ma.us Let me know if you will be driving a truck or van/or if you plan to volunteer yourself with the moving of the items.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of the Franklin Historic Museum.
Your assistance is requested in moving some of the materials from the “Old” museum to the “New” museum on March 27th (Saturday) beginning at 10:00am. Packing has already been completed and now we need help to remove boxes and items.
If you have a van or truck “WE NEED YOU”. We also need volunteers to transfer items into trucks and vans from the “Old” to the “New”. You will be directed by Commission members during the move.
Please email dpellegri@franklin.ma.us Let me know if you will be driving a truck or van/or if you plan to volunteer yourself with the moving of the items.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of the Franklin Historic Museum.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
In the News - snow removal budgets
Last year's budget total was a daunting task for Franklin as well, coming in $600,000 over its $700,000 budget.You can read the full article here:
But with a budget increase to $744,000, less snowfall and some money-saving tactics, DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi said he is looking at only a $113,000 deficit so far this winter.
"It's been a pretty average winter, which is nice for a change," Cantoreggi said. "We dodged a lot of bullets with the storms going south."
Snow removal sending areas town DPWs deep into the red
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Can't go? Watch on the web!
What is Government 2.0?
Government 2.0 Camp New England is an unconference about using social media tools and Web 2.0 technologies to create a more effective, efficient and collaborative government.
Who should attend the Gov 2.0 Camp New England?
Anyone interested in improving government through social media and Web 2.0 technology should attend, including government employees, elected officials, students, researchers, and citizens of all types. The purpose of the conference is to share innovative projects and brainstorm new ideas.
Watch Gov 2.0 Camp New England live: http://bit.ly/gov20ne
PS - I will be attending and will report back during the day, if connections are available, or at least a recap after.
In the News - Historical Museum
Member Deborah Pellegri said the commission will move into the renovated Franklin Historical Museum March 27 and is preparing for a May 15 grand opening.
"We're excited and pleased it's come to this point, and we think people are going to be very happy with the way the museum has turned out," Pellegri said.
Franklin Historical Museum set to open in new spot
I have volunteered to help with the move on March 27th, why don't you consider joining us?
"Many hands make light work."
Send an email to Town Clerk, Debbie Pellegri at dpellegri@franklin.ma.us
Job Fair at Bristol Community College - Attleboro Campus
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce and Self Help, Inc. Employment Opportunity Center is sponsoring a Spring 2010 Job Fair at Bristol Community College - Attleboro Campus, 11 Field St. on Wed., March 24.
The job fair runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for the event is at 8:30 a.m.
Employers can meet and greet potential employees by exhibiting their businesses. There is no cost to the United Regional Chamber of Commerce members for a space. The cost to non-members is $50.
To request an exhibit registration form, call Michael Tartaglia at the Self Help, Inc. Employment Opportunity Center, 508-588-4049 ext. 117 or email MTartaglia@SelfHelpInc.org.
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham
The job fair runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for the event is at 8:30 a.m.
Employers can meet and greet potential employees by exhibiting their businesses. There is no cost to the United Regional Chamber of Commerce members for a space. The cost to non-members is $50.
To request an exhibit registration form, call Michael Tartaglia at the Self Help, Inc. Employment Opportunity Center, 508-588-4049 ext. 117 or email MTartaglia@SelfHelpInc.org.
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham
Friday, March 5, 2010
Trash pickup in action
Thanks to Jim Robinson, a fan of the Facebook Franklin Matters page for prompting the search of YouTube for a video of the trash truck in action.
Thanks to Parker, for getting his parents to make this video because he likes the trash truck to come and take the trash.
This process would be similar to that coming later this year. We would have two containers, one for trash and one for recycling.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video of the trash truck making a pickup.
Thanks to Parker, for getting his parents to make this video because he likes the trash truck to come and take the trash.
This process would be similar to that coming later this year. We would have two containers, one for trash and one for recycling.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video of the trash truck making a pickup.
What do you think about the Franklin Area Bus service?
Franklin has issued a survey and is looking for your feedback on the Franklin Area Bus service, also know as GATRA.
The bus has been running the same route for two years, and the town wants to improve that route if necessary.
The survey is available on the town Web site, franklin.ma.us.
Assistant to the Town Administrator Maxine Kinhart asks people to print out the survey, and either
(1) fax it to 508-520-4903
(2) drop it off at the library
(3) Planning Board Department of the Municipal Building
(4) send it to her at 355 East Central St.
The bus has been running the same route for two years, and the town wants to improve that route if necessary.
The survey is available on the town Web site, franklin.ma.us.
Assistant to the Town Administrator Maxine Kinhart asks people to print out the survey, and either
(1) fax it to 508-520-4903
(2) drop it off at the library
(3) Planning Board Department of the Municipal Building
(4) send it to her at 355 East Central St.
Business After Hours at Dean College
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce will have a Business After Hours at Dean College, Library Learning Commons, 99 Main St., Franklin on Thurs... March 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Expand your business network by attending this event. Register for the Business After Hours by calling 508-222-0801, 508-695-6011 or 508-528-2800. The cost for the event is $5 for members (three for $10) or $10 for non-members.
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.
Note: I am a member of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce! This is not a paid ad, this is a public service announcement. The heartbeat of Franklin is good business.
"the council receives fewer and fewer recommendations"
Scott McIntyre, a certified public accountant for Melanson Heath & Co., said unlike some of his clients, Franklin was fiscally stable in 2009.
"I think it's a very good report," McIntyre said.
He told the council that the reports didn't show a significant shift from fiscal 2008 numbers, including the town's general fund, which recorded a $3.4 million balance.
"I haven't been able to say that about all my clients," he said.Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here
The business transacted during the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, March 3rd can be found here.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Dolce Express Ribbon Cutting
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon ceremony Wednesday morning, March 3rd for Dolce Express. They just opened in the former Choo-Choo Stop location at the Franklin/Dean Train station.
What was the ribbon ceremony like? This video will get you a good feel for it.
What was the ribbon ceremony like? This video will get you a good feel for it.
Town Council Mtg - 03/03/10
The collection of posts reported live from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, March 3rd can be found here:
- Live reporting - closing
- Live reporting - actions (cont'd)
- Live reporting - audit
- Live reporting - zoning bylaw amendments
- LIve reporting - Actions
- Live reporting - Town Council
Harlem Wizards return to Franklin!
The Harlem Wizards, one of the greatest basketball show-team organizations to ever “lace it up and let’em fly”, will play our own Sullivan Rockets. This will be an entertaining night for kids of all ages (and adults too)!
Did you miss their visit last year?
Don't miss it this year!
Date: Friday, March 19th, 2010, 7:00 PM
Doors Open 6:00, Game Time 7:00
Location: Tri-County Regional High School
147 Pond St, Franklin MA
Tickets: Click here to print ticket order form
Contacts: ayotte_k@verizon.net or erinclong@comcast.net
Sponsored By: Annie Sullivan Middle School PCC
 |
| From Franklin Matters |
Did you miss their visit last year?
Don't miss it this year!
Date: Friday, March 19th, 2010, 7:00 PM
Doors Open 6:00, Game Time 7:00
Location: Tri-County Regional High School
147 Pond St, Franklin MA
Tickets: Click here to print ticket order form
Contacts: ayotte_k@verizon.net or erinclong@comcast.net
Sponsored By: Annie Sullivan Middle School PCC
In the News - scoreboard
Franklin school's board scores a facelift
Pictures of the scoreboard during the restoration process can be found here
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Live reporting - closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
regionalization of dispatch?
Nutting - no change in recent months
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - concern about the roads given the weather condition, the DPW is working the issue, there are some limitations with what can be done (can't patch in the rain).
Jones - thanks to Davis Thayer, I presented the scoreboard to them today
Thanks to Karen Spilka who held a session at the Senior Center
then we went to Dolce Express to do a ribbon cutting for their new effort at the Train Station
Vallee - we should do an engineering plan for RT 140, whoever does that is usually inline for state funds, etc.
Whalen - do towns bond for road repairs?
Nutting - you can bond for a new road for 10 years, you can only do for road repair for 5 years, so by the time its done you'd be better off paying cash.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
not required
P. ADJOURN
motion approved 8-0
L. OLD BUSINESS
regionalization of dispatch?
Nutting - no change in recent months
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - concern about the roads given the weather condition, the DPW is working the issue, there are some limitations with what can be done (can't patch in the rain).
Jones - thanks to Davis Thayer, I presented the scoreboard to them today
Thanks to Karen Spilka who held a session at the Senior Center
then we went to Dolce Express to do a ribbon cutting for their new effort at the Train Station
Vallee - we should do an engineering plan for RT 140, whoever does that is usually inline for state funds, etc.
Whalen - do towns bond for road repairs?
Nutting - you can bond for a new road for 10 years, you can only do for road repair for 5 years, so by the time its done you'd be better off paying cash.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
not required
P. ADJOURN
motion approved 8-0
Live reporting - actions (cont'd)
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-639: Amendment to Chapter 185-5 Zoning map- 1st reading
motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses- 1st reading
motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0
motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses- 1st reading
motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0
Live reporting - audit
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
1. Presentation of Audit – Melanson Heath & Co.
The audit went well, no adjustments necessary
A significant estimate, an actuarial valuation to calculate the liability
Most readers will look to general and stabilization fund and not pay much attention to this unfunded liability
Page 14, 3rd number in the column
was 3.2 M is now 3.9 M virtually unchanged given the size of the overall operations
Page 16, 1st column, 3rd up from the bottom
$220,000 change in fund balance, given size of the budget this is an insignificant number
Page 16, 2nd column, stimulus money
amount coming in is the same as that expended
Page 18, budget vs actual page
attention to last column of numbers, midway down
total revenue and other sources 2.8 M less
most as result of cuts from 9c cuts of 3.5M
most of the offset was covered by the stimulus funds
effectively washing expenditures off against the stimulus
implemented the new accounting liability
Page 12 - designed to shown a long term perspective balance sheet
Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities, a little over 10 million
was always there but accounting standards are now requiring recognition
unrestricted funds decreased accordingly for this 10 M
management letter, a couple of recommendations
none of these rise to material weaknesses
1 - close some inactive capital project funds
2 - develop a more 'formal' risk assessment process, does assess risk currently, risk assessment is a key management function. department head meetings would be a good place to start this, to formalize this, would be how the Town would respond to this risk. Otherwise a very strong internal control structure
3 - tailings, tracks stale checks, one account has about $44,000 of uncashed checks
vendor no longer providing reconciliation services by end of fiscal year so this account will be closing
McGann - what is OPEB
Scott - described the term, basically retiree health insurance
McGann - what is the tailings account?
Nutting - we have written the checks, they have not been cashed by others
Scott - I don't like to compare clients, we did not need to propose any significant journal entries, we have only 3 minor recommendations, they do not rise to a significant or to a material deficiency
I am not involved in all our firms audits, I think this is a very good audit and much more timely than even two years ago.
Pfeffer - Page 32 do I read that we have
You do have some securities unsecured and unregistered, it is a rather high percentage, the notation is as of one point in time, it can change on a daily basis
Pfeffer - do you consider it dangerous or shocking?
No, there is some risk associated with some risks on investments but nothing unusual
I view some of my role to challenge my clients to not just provide the numbers but to go above and beyond
This year is much better, in 2007, we were here 11 months after the close
Gagner - that was somewhat do to the MUNIS conversion that we had just been completed.
We are not repeating any comments from prior years, this should be an important point to here.
Powderly - do you prepare fiscal statistics so we can compare ourselves to another
No, that would be the role of your fiscal advisors. You could do ten year trend information, largest employers, largest tax payers, etc.
Jones -what would you regard as an excellent goal
Gagner - no recommendations in the management letter
1. Presentation of Audit – Melanson Heath & Co.
The audit went well, no adjustments necessary
A significant estimate, an actuarial valuation to calculate the liability
Most readers will look to general and stabilization fund and not pay much attention to this unfunded liability
Page 14, 3rd number in the column
was 3.2 M is now 3.9 M virtually unchanged given the size of the overall operations
Page 16, 1st column, 3rd up from the bottom
$220,000 change in fund balance, given size of the budget this is an insignificant number
Page 16, 2nd column, stimulus money
amount coming in is the same as that expended
Page 18, budget vs actual page
attention to last column of numbers, midway down
total revenue and other sources 2.8 M less
most as result of cuts from 9c cuts of 3.5M
most of the offset was covered by the stimulus funds
effectively washing expenditures off against the stimulus
implemented the new accounting liability
Page 12 - designed to shown a long term perspective balance sheet
Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities, a little over 10 million
was always there but accounting standards are now requiring recognition
unrestricted funds decreased accordingly for this 10 M
management letter, a couple of recommendations
none of these rise to material weaknesses
1 - close some inactive capital project funds
2 - develop a more 'formal' risk assessment process, does assess risk currently, risk assessment is a key management function. department head meetings would be a good place to start this, to formalize this, would be how the Town would respond to this risk. Otherwise a very strong internal control structure
3 - tailings, tracks stale checks, one account has about $44,000 of uncashed checks
vendor no longer providing reconciliation services by end of fiscal year so this account will be closing
McGann - what is OPEB
Scott - described the term, basically retiree health insurance
McGann - what is the tailings account?
Nutting - we have written the checks, they have not been cashed by others
Scott - I don't like to compare clients, we did not need to propose any significant journal entries, we have only 3 minor recommendations, they do not rise to a significant or to a material deficiency
I am not involved in all our firms audits, I think this is a very good audit and much more timely than even two years ago.
Pfeffer - Page 32 do I read that we have
You do have some securities unsecured and unregistered, it is a rather high percentage, the notation is as of one point in time, it can change on a daily basis
Pfeffer - do you consider it dangerous or shocking?
No, there is some risk associated with some risks on investments but nothing unusual
I view some of my role to challenge my clients to not just provide the numbers but to go above and beyond
This year is much better, in 2007, we were here 11 months after the close
Gagner - that was somewhat do to the MUNIS conversion that we had just been completed.
We are not repeating any comments from prior years, this should be an important point to here.
Powderly - do you prepare fiscal statistics so we can compare ourselves to another
No, that would be the role of your fiscal advisors. You could do ten year trend information, largest employers, largest tax payers, etc.
Jones -what would you regard as an excellent goal
Gagner - no recommendations in the management letter
Live reporting - zoning bylaw amendments
F. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
hearing opened
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-639: Amendment to Chapter 185-5 Zoning map
adding 11 parcels, removes one parcel which is part of the State Forest
Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend adoption of this
hearing closed
hearing opened
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses
this would remove the extra requirement of a Town Council special permit
the Board of Health would be required to hold a public hearing
It is in the interest of the Town to do this to help entice companies to operate here
hearing closed
these items are on the agenda for action to move them to a second reading later in this meeting
hearing opened
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-639: Amendment to Chapter 185-5 Zoning map
adding 11 parcels, removes one parcel which is part of the State Forest
Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend adoption of this
hearing closed
hearing opened
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses
this would remove the extra requirement of a Town Council special permit
the Board of Health would be required to hold a public hearing
It is in the interest of the Town to do this to help entice companies to operate here
hearing closed
these items are on the agenda for action to move them to a second reading later in this meeting
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