Other than being an ad for Kaplan University, a company trying to re-invent itself, the subject raises some good questions. Is it time to re-think the educational process?
What do you think?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Live reporting - Administrator's update, to meeting close
Common Cause has awarded the town an award for information on the town web site. An informed electorate is the best way to survive tough times. Thanks to the town employees for providing the updates.
We should hear soon what the state funding status will be. It will be tough times.
Bartlett - What about the stimulation funding?
Nutting - The expectation that everyone will get something is incorrect. By the time you get down to the local level, where things need to be shovel ready, there won't be a lot of opportunity. Some of this will be done via block grants. The Congress has not yet voted on this. Governor Patrick is preparing the state well to react when it happens. We could use $500 billion on MA alone.
Bartlett - How will the process work when the Governor balances the budget?
Nutting - We need to look at the 2010 budget as well as the cuts for the 09 budget to make a smart choice. They ought to be parallel. I don't think it is practical to cut a school budget during the year. Can you just say no more math, or cuts spring sports? I think it will fall to the town to absorb the 09 cuts.
Old business -
Pfeffer - someone must know what the cause of the power and water damage was?
Nutting - I will get you information on what we are submitting.
Nutting - We go out to bid health insurance and property/casualty periodically. We are actually out to bid right now. We should get the bids in March.
New business -
Whalen - I thought we were getting a more comprehensive package on what happened and what the plan is to avoid this in the future.
Nutting - We will resolve that will tying the alerts into the Fire Station so when the heat goes out, there will be calls made.
Whalen - we should have a full accounting
Nutting - You probably won't see it until later February and March.
Pfeffer - we were promised a fuller report
Nutting - yes, you will get it, just not now.
Councilor Comments -
Mason -
Vallee - I heard from two people who are upset that they received a 34-38% increase in their taxes. I would like to hear from my constituents.
Nutting - Any one aggrieved by a tax increase, you need to file by Feb 1. If you don't file by Feb 1, you won't be able to get any adjustment.
We should hear soon what the state funding status will be. It will be tough times.
Bartlett - What about the stimulation funding?
Nutting - The expectation that everyone will get something is incorrect. By the time you get down to the local level, where things need to be shovel ready, there won't be a lot of opportunity. Some of this will be done via block grants. The Congress has not yet voted on this. Governor Patrick is preparing the state well to react when it happens. We could use $500 billion on MA alone.
Bartlett - How will the process work when the Governor balances the budget?
Nutting - We need to look at the 2010 budget as well as the cuts for the 09 budget to make a smart choice. They ought to be parallel. I don't think it is practical to cut a school budget during the year. Can you just say no more math, or cuts spring sports? I think it will fall to the town to absorb the 09 cuts.
Old business -
Pfeffer - someone must know what the cause of the power and water damage was?
Nutting - I will get you information on what we are submitting.
Nutting - We go out to bid health insurance and property/casualty periodically. We are actually out to bid right now. We should get the bids in March.
New business -
Whalen - I thought we were getting a more comprehensive package on what happened and what the plan is to avoid this in the future.
Nutting - We will resolve that will tying the alerts into the Fire Station so when the heat goes out, there will be calls made.
Whalen - we should have a full accounting
Nutting - You probably won't see it until later February and March.
Pfeffer - we were promised a fuller report
Nutting - yes, you will get it, just not now.
Councilor Comments -
Mason -
Vallee - I heard from two people who are upset that they received a 34-38% increase in their taxes. I would like to hear from my constituents.
Nutting - Any one aggrieved by a tax increase, you need to file by Feb 1. If you don't file by Feb 1, you won't be able to get any adjustment.
Live reporting - Nutting - performance review
Although differences of opinion may occur, Jeff executes the wish of the council.
Jeff drives around town
1 - to monitor the status of what's going on
2 - ensure that operations are current
continued development of town department heads and employees
maintain cost effective and efficient operations
Council should establish goals, Nutting should do likewise
more periodic updates from town dept heads to better educate the town and average citizens
recommendation for 2.5% pay increase retro active to October 2008
Zollo, (chair) McGann, Pfeffer (members)
raise was already budgeted, will not be seeking a raise for this budget year.
Vallee will not support any increase for any employee at this time
Doak - Jeff is the only employee in the town who has not gotten the increase this year. We should have done this sooner rather than later. I will support the recommended increase.
Chris - Jeff is the CEO of the town, normally is the highest pay of the town, normally would be getting the highest increase. Jeff's leadership in declining the increase for the coming year is good.
Approved 6-1
Jeff drives around town
1 - to monitor the status of what's going on
2 - ensure that operations are current
continued development of town department heads and employees
maintain cost effective and efficient operations
Council should establish goals, Nutting should do likewise
more periodic updates from town dept heads to better educate the town and average citizens
recommendation for 2.5% pay increase retro active to October 2008
Zollo, (chair) McGann, Pfeffer (members)
raise was already budgeted, will not be seeking a raise for this budget year.
Vallee will not support any increase for any employee at this time
Doak - Jeff is the only employee in the town who has not gotten the increase this year. We should have done this sooner rather than later. I will support the recommended increase.
Chris - Jeff is the CEO of the town, normally is the highest pay of the town, normally would be getting the highest increase. Jeff's leadership in declining the increase for the coming year is good.
Approved 6-1
Live reporting - action items
LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Discussion on reducing costs, the major expense on salting/sanding will occur later this year. Brutus to come back with some alternatives to cut costs what would it look like.
- Resolution 09-02: Declaration as Surplus and Available for Disposition (Leasing) and Authorization therefore of a Portion of Town-Owned Land at 40 West Central Street
- Resolution 09-03: Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations – Snow & Ice
Discussion on reducing costs, the major expense on salting/sanding will occur later this year. Brutus to come back with some alternatives to cut costs what would it look like.
Live reporting - the DPW story on snow
Robert (Brutus) Cantorregi
Jim Estabrook, GIS specialist
Thanks to Brutus and Jim for providing this copy of the full presentation:
only $2,010 left in snow budget right now
Citizens can help by:
Nutting - They have been cutting back on the routes and materials but nothing else.
Brutus - Maybe instead of getting to a subdivision within four hours after a storm, we do eight? Then heaven forbid, we don't get there and there is a tragedy due to a safety issue.
Whalen - what are the costs associated with a slower clearing of the snow? Maybe a few more school cancellations?
Nutting - the wear and tear of our DPW employees, just the safety of the employees alone, never mind the wear on the equipment.
Whalen - I am surprised that citizens with snow blowers just don't do more sidewalks.
Jim Estabrook, GIS specialist
Thanks to Brutus and Jim for providing this copy of the full presentation:
only $2,010 left in snow budget right now
Citizens can help by:
Don't put snow back into the streetDoak - the DPW is a victim of their own success. Is it a consideration to do less?
Clear the fire hydrants
Nutting - They have been cutting back on the routes and materials but nothing else.
Brutus - Maybe instead of getting to a subdivision within four hours after a storm, we do eight? Then heaven forbid, we don't get there and there is a tragedy due to a safety issue.
Whalen - what are the costs associated with a slower clearing of the snow? Maybe a few more school cancellations?
Nutting - the wear and tear of our DPW employees, just the safety of the employees alone, never mind the wear on the equipment.
Whalen - I am surprised that citizens with snow blowers just don't do more sidewalks.
Live reporting - Town Council 1/21/09
Attending: Whalen, Mason, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak
Absent: McGann, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none tonight
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none tonight
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none tonight
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS - School Building Committee
Approved 7-0
Absent: McGann, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none tonight
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none tonight
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none tonight
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Fire Chief McCarraher asked for the citizens to help with clearing the fire hydrants near their residences. The DPW is getting around to clear them but the citizens can help create a safer environment.
E. APPOINTMENTS - School Building Committee
Peter Light, new Principal at Franklin High School, was appointed to replace Pam Gould on the School Building Committee. Pam is leaving for another position in Plymouth.
Approved 7-0
History of the internet
Thanks to the folks at Common Craft for pointing out this cool video history of the interent by PICOL. The foks at PICOL are developing a common picture library to help make communications easier and simpler to understand.
Watch this history video and see if they are successful:
History of the Internet from PICOL on Vimeo.
Did this make sense to you?
Did you like this?
Watch this history video and see if they are successful:
History of the Internet from PICOL on Vimeo.
Did this make sense to you?
Did you like this?
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