Town Council may set up infrastructure stabilization fund
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Bridge in troubled water
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
In the News - stabilization fund, bridge closure
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Town Council - Agenda - 12/3/08
December 3, 2008
7:00 PM
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS -
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-628: Chapter 185-Nonconforming Uses and Structures – Public Hearing 7:10
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Annual Alcohol License Renewals
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
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
7:00 PM
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS -
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-628: Chapter 185-Nonconforming Uses and Structures – Public Hearing 7:10
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Annual Alcohol License Renewals
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
- Resolution 08-81: 2009 Town Council Meeting Schedule
- Resolution 08-82: Legal Notices
- Resolution 08-83: Establishment of Municipal Infrastructure/Facilities Improvement Stabilization Fund
- Resolution 08-84: Appropriation: Municipal Infrastructure/Facilities Improvement Stabilization Fund
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
Please don't litter - Franklin matters!
I have written previously of the bottles and cans I pick up on my weekend walks around Franklin here.
One possible explanation for such alcohol related litter could be the teenage drinking that appears to be prevalent in the area.
If you are concerned about the teenage alcohol problem, then come to the WASTED meeting tonight at Franklin High School, 7:00 PM.
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Monday, December 1, 2008
MBTA-Forge Pkwy Bridge Closure
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Message sent - 12/1/2008
MBTA-Forge Pkwy Bridge Closure
Hello. This is the Franklin Police Department calling with an important message from Deputy Chief Semerjian. We want to advise the citizens and businesses in town of a significant traffic pattern change. Effective tomorrow, December 2 2008, the old wooden bridge on W Central Street, near the MBTA station, will close permanently.
Traffic to the MBTA lower lot and residences up to the bridge will flow as usual.
Traffic northbound of the bridge, including Garelick Farms and the MBTA upper lot, will be accessed using the Route 140 Bypass Bridge.
Message sent - 12/1/2008
MBTA-Forge Pkwy Bridge Closure
Hello. This is the Franklin Police Department calling with an important message from Deputy Chief Semerjian. We want to advise the citizens and businesses in town of a significant traffic pattern change. Effective tomorrow, December 2 2008, the old wooden bridge on W Central Street, near the MBTA station, will close permanently.
Traffic to the MBTA lower lot and residences up to the bridge will flow as usual.
Traffic northbound of the bridge, including Garelick Farms and the MBTA upper lot, will be accessed using the Route 140 Bypass Bridge.
FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE September 4, 2008
FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
September 4, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm
Members present: Finance Committee Chair James Roche,
Councilors Deborah Bartlett, Steve Whalen and Shannon Zollo (arrived at 8:09pm)
Finance Committee member Rebecca Cameron,
Residents, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek.
Members not in attendance: School Committee Members, Roberta Trahan and Matt
Kelley.
Also present were Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, and School Superintendent Wayne
Ogden and residents Jim Gianotti, Stacey Bower and Steve Sherlock.
Minutes reviewed by Committee for June 11, 2008, July 10, 2008 and August 7, 2008
Motion by Councilor Bartlett to Approve
Vote: Yes 9
No 0
Goal Discussion:
The Committee discussed:
The group discussed the budget and decided to look at large expense drivers such as
Jeff Nutting will meet with Department Heads to discuss budget and arrange for them to
meet with the Committee. (two per meeting)
The Committee also discussed cost of living percentage, inflation, health insurance. They
agreed that local government not sustainable in current mode.
Schools discussion:
Other Departments that need funding discussed:
Next meeting will have budget spreadsheets and two Department heads will attend.
Comments from visitors:
Next Meeting scheduled for September 18, 2008
Next Agenda – (tentatively)
Meeting adjourned
Respectfully,
Jeff Nutting
September 4, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm
Members present: Finance Committee Chair James Roche,
Councilors Deborah Bartlett, Steve Whalen and Shannon Zollo (arrived at 8:09pm)
Finance Committee member Rebecca Cameron,
Residents, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek.
Members not in attendance: School Committee Members, Roberta Trahan and Matt
Kelley.
Also present were Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, and School Superintendent Wayne
Ogden and residents Jim Gianotti, Stacey Bower and Steve Sherlock.
Minutes reviewed by Committee for June 11, 2008, July 10, 2008 and August 7, 2008
Motion by Councilor Bartlett to Approve
Vote: Yes 9
No 0
Goal Discussion:
The Committee discussed:
- Maintaining same level of service may require an override
- Override – What it is going to cost
The group discussed the budget and decided to look at large expense drivers such as
- General Government
- Education
- DPW
- Questionnaire from Jeff Nutting to Departments
Jeff Nutting will meet with Department Heads to discuss budget and arrange for them to
meet with the Committee. (two per meeting)
The Committee also discussed cost of living percentage, inflation, health insurance. They
agreed that local government not sustainable in current mode.
Schools discussion:
- School had more layoffs than other departments
- School Choice Funds
- High School Renovations
- Enrollment
- SPED
- 2-3 yr Commitment other spending
- Are fixed costs coming up
- High School trajectory is toward probation (NEASC)
- Resources into High School
Other Departments that need funding discussed:
- Police
- Fire
- Library
- DPW
Next meeting will have budget spreadsheets and two Department heads will attend.
Comments from visitors:
- Good ideas to review Department Heads budget (metric w?
- Stick with main points
- Like to see more residents involved and at meetings
- Commends Committee for efforts
Next Meeting scheduled for September 18, 2008
Next Agenda – (tentatively)
- Public Safety
- DPW and Facilities
- Fixed Costs
- Library
Meeting adjourned
Respectfully,
Jeff Nutting
FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE September 18, 2008
FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
September 18, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm by Vice Chair Doug Hardesty.
Members present:
Councilors Deborah Bartlett and Steve Whalen, Finance Committee member Rebecca
Cameron, School Committee Members, Roberta Trahan and Matt Kelley. Residents,
Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek.
Members not in attendance: Finance Chair Jim Roche and Councilor Shannon Zollo.
Town Administrator Jeff Nutting handed out a spreadsheet of the fiscal model and
reviewed the initial assumptions.
Fire Chief McCarraher presented his model for the department. He explained that his
model is based on response time and trends in the number of times the department
responds to emergencies in a given year. The model is based on a 4% growth rate, but
currently, the trends are flat so that his proposal could be moved out a few years.
He explained the attempted regionalization of dispatch and the barriers that prevented a
successful implementation. He also discussed staffing the department both in terms of
firefighting and ambulance calls. The ambulance produces about $700,000 a year in
revenue. $125,000 is set aside for ambulance replacement and the rest is turned over to
the general fund.
Police Chief Williams discussed his request for additional staffing that would return the
department to 2000 levels. The department has been able to “hold their own” with the use
of technology and the hard work of the staff. However, demand is increasing on all
fronts. Franklin’s staffing is well below comparative communities, as well as our per
capita spending on police. On any given shift, they can be shorthanded when an
emergency arises. They do belong to a regional police group for large-scale issues but
have insufficient staff for the daily demands on the department.
He requested two additional officers in FY 10 and on additional officer the following two
years.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm
September 18, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm by Vice Chair Doug Hardesty.
Members present:
Councilors Deborah Bartlett and Steve Whalen, Finance Committee member Rebecca
Cameron, School Committee Members, Roberta Trahan and Matt Kelley. Residents,
Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek.
Members not in attendance: Finance Chair Jim Roche and Councilor Shannon Zollo.
Town Administrator Jeff Nutting handed out a spreadsheet of the fiscal model and
reviewed the initial assumptions.
Fire Chief McCarraher presented his model for the department. He explained that his
model is based on response time and trends in the number of times the department
responds to emergencies in a given year. The model is based on a 4% growth rate, but
currently, the trends are flat so that his proposal could be moved out a few years.
He explained the attempted regionalization of dispatch and the barriers that prevented a
successful implementation. He also discussed staffing the department both in terms of
firefighting and ambulance calls. The ambulance produces about $700,000 a year in
revenue. $125,000 is set aside for ambulance replacement and the rest is turned over to
the general fund.
Police Chief Williams discussed his request for additional staffing that would return the
department to 2000 levels. The department has been able to “hold their own” with the use
of technology and the hard work of the staff. However, demand is increasing on all
fronts. Franklin’s staffing is well below comparative communities, as well as our per
capita spending on police. On any given shift, they can be shorthanded when an
emergency arises. They do belong to a regional police group for large-scale issues but
have insufficient staff for the daily demands on the department.
He requested two additional officers in FY 10 and on additional officer the following two
years.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm
Take the civics quiz
Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen? The average score for all 2,508 Americans taking the following test was 49%; college educators scored 55%. Can you do better? Questions were drawn from past ISI surveys, as well as other nationally recognized exams.
The 35 question quiz can be found here
Let me know how you did and we can compare scores.
Send an email to me (shersteve at gmail dot com) or leave a comment.
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