Nutting - with a little knock on wood, we'll be able to meet the winter snow and ice with what we allocated (initially $700K and an additionally $600K)
GATRA - meeting today on how to keep them alive, the ridership is only 149/per week. They need 250-300 per week to meet their needs.
Meeting Friday for elected and Town officials with McGovern's office. Not for the public but FYI for those folks here.
Old business - none
New business -
Question, probably should have been asked earlier - where are we with the state and the possible new revenues?
Nutting - It might be several months before those local tax options are decided at the State level. I'll be putting the budget together assuming we don't get those.
Pfeffer - When the Haywood family donated it, it was a bandstand. In those days, folks didn't do gazebos, they built bandstands.
Vallee - I just want to go on record that I will not support the fee increases. It goes against what is supposed to be done at this time of recession/depression.
Motion - to go into executive session. Passed 8-0
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Live reporting - legislation for action
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Dave Roche, Building Commissioner
The base of the building was expanded at some point but the roof did not cover it creating a water problem.
The edges of the roof are rotted. It won't do anything really to change the appearance. Simply extend the roof by about a foot to provide the protection needed.
Later we can use the Town electrician to change the lighting.
We don't have the expertise to do the tile ourselves. The Historical Commission and everybody else requested to keep the tile.
Motion to amend to include the interest accrued.
McGann question to keep the work within the Town's contractors.
Nutting - the bids already came in, don't know where they are from but we need to take the lowest bid.
Gary McGarraher, Fire Chief
Explains the billing process involving Medicare rates, not using assignments any longer to ensure full recover of the funds,
It really is not an increase in rates, it is bundling it differently in order to capture the full Medicare amount.
McGann - in comparison to surrounding Towns, where are we?
Roche - we last changed the rates eight years ago. We are in some cases, incredibly low for comparable services. With the services we are offering, we were not covering our costs. Even though it is not the best time to do so, it is something that allows us to recover more of our costs.
The state will ask the communities to review the fees to ensure that they cover the budget.
- Resolution 09-15: Acceptance of Deed of Parcel 29A, Palomino Drive motion passed 8-0
- Resolution 09-16: Acceptance of Deed of Parcel 29 B, Paddock Lane motion passed 8-0
- Resolution 09-17: Declaration of Town-Owned Land as Surplus and Available for Disposition motion passed 8-0
- Resolution 09-18: Appropriation Town Common Band Stand motion passed 8-0
- Bylaw Amendment 09-631: Chapter 82 Fees, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates - 1st Reading motion passed 8-0
Dave Roche, Building Commissioner
The base of the building was expanded at some point but the roof did not cover it creating a water problem.
The edges of the roof are rotted. It won't do anything really to change the appearance. Simply extend the roof by about a foot to provide the protection needed.
Later we can use the Town electrician to change the lighting.
We don't have the expertise to do the tile ourselves. The Historical Commission and everybody else requested to keep the tile.
Motion to amend to include the interest accrued.
McGann question to keep the work within the Town's contractors.
Nutting - the bids already came in, don't know where they are from but we need to take the lowest bid.
Gary McGarraher, Fire Chief
Explains the billing process involving Medicare rates, not using assignments any longer to ensure full recover of the funds,
It really is not an increase in rates, it is bundling it differently in order to capture the full Medicare amount.
McGann - in comparison to surrounding Towns, where are we?
Roche - we last changed the rates eight years ago. We are in some cases, incredibly low for comparable services. With the services we are offering, we were not covering our costs. Even though it is not the best time to do so, it is something that allows us to recover more of our costs.
The state will ask the communities to review the fees to ensure that they cover the budget.
Live reporting - Audit report
Susan Gagner
Jim Dacey
Auditor (fill in name later)
no material entries made to start the audit
The audit report can be found here (PDF)
Auditor recommendation to set up a capital account, current capital is budgeted by using "free cash"
Auditor recommendation on formal system to support data for utility abatements and adjustments for DPW
Q - Bartlett, we had a problem with reconciling ambulance reports from last time
A - Gagner, we have reconciled the first 6 months of 2009, we added a report to perform this audit and that why the item is no longer part of the report.
Q - Bartlett, and last year with the School problem
A - Gagner, the separation between entries has been set up, they don't have access to make ledger entries
Q - Bartlett, so this report covers the School's as well
A - Auditor, yes, this is completely covered, no issues found
Jim Dacey
Auditor (fill in name later)
no material entries made to start the audit
The audit report can be found here (PDF)
Auditor recommendation to set up a capital account, current capital is budgeted by using "free cash"
Auditor recommendation on formal system to support data for utility abatements and adjustments for DPW
Q - Bartlett, we had a problem with reconciling ambulance reports from last time
A - Gagner, we have reconciled the first 6 months of 2009, we added a report to perform this audit and that why the item is no longer part of the report.
Q - Bartlett, and last year with the School problem
A - Gagner, the separation between entries has been set up, they don't have access to make ledger entries
Q - Bartlett, so this report covers the School's as well
A - Auditor, yes, this is completely covered, no issues found
Live reporting: Town Council mtg 3/18/09
Attending: Whalen, Mason, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, McGann
Missing: Zollo,
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 3/4/09 Regular and Executive Session
motion to approve - passed 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nutting - non-union municipal, school, police have all stepped up to take the pay freeze this year
5 other unions, total 6 of 8 Town have agreed to take the freeze. Jeff thanks everyone to date. The School Admin, School Committee and teachers are working their side.
Pfeffer - comments open for 5 minutes, must be resident, will be recorded on camera, broadcast via internet and cable, no alias, must use real name
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
E. APPOINTMENTS - none
F. HEARINGS - none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
Missing: Zollo,
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 3/4/09 Regular and Executive Session
motion to approve - passed 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nutting - non-union municipal, school, police have all stepped up to take the pay freeze this year
5 other unions, total 6 of 8 Town have agreed to take the freeze. Jeff thanks everyone to date. The School Admin, School Committee and teachers are working their side.
Pfeffer - comments open for 5 minutes, must be resident, will be recorded on camera, broadcast via internet and cable, no alias, must use real name
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
E. APPOINTMENTS - none
F. HEARINGS - none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
GATRA still needs riders!
Did you know that GATRA has been operating here in Franklin for one year already?
Yes, it is true. They completed 52 weeks of service last week. They have provided free rides, coupons, and the ridership is only an average 149 per week. This is at least 100 below the target they set out with the Town to achieve when they began.
Will they be able to continue?
The decision is pending. Much like a lot of other areas. The resources are being looked at to see if they can justify the usage.
How can you help?
Consider riding GATRA. Look at the schedule here. Consider walking to one of the roads along the route and flag the bus down. Assuming, it is a good place to stop, they will.
Do you have any ideas on how to increase riders?
GATRA would love to hear from you. You can contact them through their web site here
"His mere presence ends confrontations and arguments"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
There is probably no one more excited to go to work and catch "the bad guys" than 11-year-old Chase, a black German shepherd police dog with the Franklin Police Department.
"I'll be at home and ask him, 'You want to go to work?' and he'll start jumping up and down and go right to the door to leave the house," said Officer Michael Gilboy, who calls Chase his best friend.
Gilboy and Chase are more than friends, though. Chase wears Gilboy's badge, which adorned his collar yesterday.
Read the full article about Chase, who retired yesterday, in the Milford Daily News here
GATRA - Franklin Area Bus
What:
Needs YOUR input to help us determine the future of the Franklin Area Bus
When:
Wednesday, March 18th - 4:00 p.m.
Where:
Franklin Senior Center - 10 Daniel McCahill Street
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)