Thursday, April 16, 2009

over-reliance on state aid "sounds like a ticking time bomb,"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 16, 2009 @ 01:34 AM

FRANKLIN —

After 10 months of meeting, researching, and creating a five-year financial outlook, the long-range financial planning committee presented its report to Town Council last night, cautioning Franklin's finances will keep spiraling into the red if all remains status quo.

In his presentation, Vice Chairman Doug Hardesty, a resident and auditor by profession, also warned that Franklin is teetering on non-compliance status with the state in regard to net school spending. The town is on track to fall below the warning level - defined as 5 percent above the minimum - next year, which means the state will intervene and force Franklin to give more money to schools.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Read the live reporting from the Town Council meeting here


Mirage Poetry Night

What:
Mirage Poetry Night to benefit the
Franklin High Literary Magazine

Competitive Youth Slam

Open Mic for All Ages


When:
5:00 - 8:00 PM
APRIL 17, 2009


Where:
Barnes & Noble
270 Hartford Avenue
Bellingham, MA 02019
Exit 18 off 495 in the Stallbrook Plaza near Staples and Market Basket


Some proceeds from purchases made at the Barnes & Noble that day (by customers who mention Mirage during the transaction) may go towards the literary magazine.


Questions?
Interested in signing up for the slam?
Contact Editor April Crehan: fhsmirage@gmail.com

Town Council Mtg Smry 04/15/09

The collection of posts from the Town Council meeting 4/15/09

Concerned about Franklin's Finances?

Concerned about Franklin's Finances?

GET THE FACTS

Long-Range Financial Planning Committee

Monday, April 27th

7 PM
Horace

Mann School

(Mercer Auditorium)


IT’S TIME WELL SPENT

"The community is making out very well in these times"

GateHouse News Service
Posted Apr 15, 2009 @ 05:11 PM
Last update Apr 15, 2009 @ 05:45 PM

Rep. James E. Vallee (D-Franklin), House Majority Leader, announced today Franklin and Medway will receive level funding for local public education, as the House Ways and Means budget was released today with Chapter 70 dollars for Franklin and Medway at heartening levels.

Franklin’s Chapter 70 allocation totals $28,726,70, consistent with its Fiscal Year 2009 apportionment. Medway was level funded, too; the town’s allocation totals $9,230,437.

Each town is also slated to receive additional funding through a federal economic stimulus package for public education under the House Ways and Means proposal, according to Vallee. Franklin’s local aid total, with the inclusion of this funding, would exceed $31 million; Medway’s total would be nearly $12 million.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Vallee office hours in Franklin - Friday 4/17/09

FRANKLIN - State Rep. James E. Vallee, D-Franklin, will hold monthly local walk-in office hours on Friday, April 17, at two locations in his legislative district.

Vallee, or a member of his staff, will be available at the Medway town administrator’s office, 155 Village St., 9 to 10 a.m., and his Franklin office, 4 West St., 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Vallee welcomes and encourages residents to visit him during these times to voice concerns or questions they may have regarding any state-related issue. He encourages constituents unable to attend the district hours to call his State House office to schedule a more convenient appointment.

Vallee and his staff may be reached at 617-722-2600 or Rep.JamesVallee@hou.state.ma.us.
This was posted on the Franklin Gazette here

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Live reporting - Remainder items

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Reminder - earth day this Saturday, the more hands the better
May 16th 8:00 - 10:00 for beautification day at the bridge downtown
June 19th - Strawberry Festival

Federal Census time, going door to door, will have identification, Police have been notified

L. OLD BUSINESS - none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Bartlett - question on the modular status, can we get that information
Feeley - yes, the Building Committee will bring that

Bartlett - I would like a vote from the Council on the endorsing the report


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS -

Zollo - thanks to the committee and others that participated, disagreements were resolved to the betterment of the report. Apr 27th meeting is critical, for as many citizens as possible to attend, If we could fill that auditorium, it doesn't matter if you come with preconceived notions or not. We need the discussion.

Doak - acknowledge that the committee did a good job with the report, we can acknowledge the problem, we have systemic structural problems, we may be able to pass an override, the regionalization, index prop 2.5%, there are no easy answers here, it will take a long time and some pain

Pfeffer - Senior Center complaining no openings in sessions in the morning, nor room to park, these are good problems

Whalen - fire station replaced building in 1902, senior center has seen an increase of 300% in utilization, those are reasons for doing the projects. One commented, "I don't remember the last time I learned so much in 90 minutes." Going forward, at least the decisions will be made in an informed basis.

Vallee - outside of regionalization I don't know what we can do.

Bartlett - for me what will come out of this, will tell our story, unbiased. As unbiased a report as could be produced. You could watch but if you have a question, it probably won't get answered unless you're there. We want your feedback. We function best when we are united.

Motion to adjourn