Thursday, February 4, 2010
In the News - authorized to buy
Highlights of the Town Council discussion on the new waste recycling system from Wednesday's meeting are reported in the paper:
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
FM Budget Workshop Part 4 - 1/25/10
This is part 4 of the Budget Workshop held on Monday, Jan 25, 2010. Susan Gagner completes her presentation, Jim Dacey covers debt and Jeff Nutting explains the Stabilization Fund and 'free cash'.
Time: 26 minutes, 47 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
Franklin held conducted a budget workshop on Monday, Jan 25, 2010. This is part four of the session recording. Susan Gagner, Town Comptroller, completes her presentation reviewing pages 8 and 9 on Net School Spending, and a little on Page 7, which was covered in Part 1.
Jeff Nutting introduces Jim Dacey, the Treasurer/Collector, who goes into detail on the debt process, highlighting the almost continuous planning and re-evaluation done in this area. The master spreadsheet they use has had 57 revisions in about 7 or 8 years.
Jeff gets asked by Scott Mason to explain the Stabilization Fund.
Steve Sherlock asks for them to cover "free cash".
The group then takes a break for refreshments and conversation. We'll resume in part 5 with the School Budget.
Susan Gagner - Page 8 - Net School Spending
Susan Gagner - Page 9 - Net School Spending (cont'd)
Susan Gagner - Page 7 - Chapter 70 and School Budget history
Jim Dacey - Debt process details
Jim Dacey - Debt plan - latest revision
Jim Dacey - Debt percent of overall budget
-----
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!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to listen to the audio version.
Live reporting from the workshop can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-special-meeting-budget.html
and here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-budget-workshop.html
Part 1 of the workshop recording can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/fm-budget-workshop-12510-part-1.html
Part 2 of the workshop recording can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/fm-budget-workshop-12510-part-1.html
Part 3 of the workshop recording can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/fm-budget-workshop-part-3-12510.html
Time: 26 minutes, 47 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
Franklin held conducted a budget workshop on Monday, Jan 25, 2010. This is part four of the session recording. Susan Gagner, Town Comptroller, completes her presentation reviewing pages 8 and 9 on Net School Spending, and a little on Page 7, which was covered in Part 1.
Jeff Nutting introduces Jim Dacey, the Treasurer/Collector, who goes into detail on the debt process, highlighting the almost continuous planning and re-evaluation done in this area. The master spreadsheet they use has had 57 revisions in about 7 or 8 years.
Jeff gets asked by Scott Mason to explain the Stabilization Fund.
Steve Sherlock asks for them to cover "free cash".
The group then takes a break for refreshments and conversation. We'll resume in part 5 with the School Budget.
Susan Gagner - Page 8 - Net School Spending
Susan Gagner - Page 9 - Net School Spending (cont'd)
Susan Gagner - Page 7 - Chapter 70 and School Budget history
Jim Dacey - Debt process details
Jim Dacey - Debt plan - latest revision
Jim Dacey - Debt percent of overall budget
-----
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!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to listen to the audio version.
Live reporting from the workshop can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-special-meeting-budget.html
and here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-budget-workshop.html
Part 1 of the workshop recording can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/fm-budget-workshop-12510-part-1.html
Part 2 of the workshop recording can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/fm-budget-workshop-12510-part-1.html
Part 3 of the workshop recording can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/fm-budget-workshop-part-3-12510.html
Live reporting - Closing items
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
none
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - under-utilization of funding available for seniors to provide relief from property taxes
Pfeffer - First information night on Housing trust, 6 couples came for info; Medway looking to become a green community, is Franklin looking at this?
Nutting - we are looking at it, but we are not sure we can meet the standard, our buildings are newer and may not be able to save as much as they would like. We have applied for solar panels for one of the schools
Pfeffer - One of Carlo's words of wisdom was if someone sends an anonymous letter, ignore it
Mason - yes, I have been getting unsigned letters, not that I am not concerned, but if you don't sign it, I can't follow up on it
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
not needed
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjorn
none
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - under-utilization of funding available for seniors to provide relief from property taxes
Pfeffer - First information night on Housing trust, 6 couples came for info; Medway looking to become a green community, is Franklin looking at this?
Nutting - we are looking at it, but we are not sure we can meet the standard, our buildings are newer and may not be able to save as much as they would like. We have applied for solar panels for one of the schools
Pfeffer - One of Carlo's words of wisdom was if someone sends an anonymous letter, ignore it
Mason - yes, I have been getting unsigned letters, not that I am not concerned, but if you don't sign it, I can't follow up on it
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
not needed
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjorn
Live reporting - Legislation
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
• Resolution 10-85: Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations
a regular house keeping requirement, better to be a little under than over
motion to approve - passed 8-0
• Resolution 10-86: Authorization to Borrow for the Purchase of Trash Totters
motion to approve - passed
Discussion
Jeff in order to implement the new system, need to front the cost for the bins/totters
once paid off, the fee could be used to replenish them as needed and still drop over time
Vallee speaking against the purchase now, the timing is wrong
Nutting - We were told to fix this, we spent more than three years on this, we worked with the Recycling Committee, did a ton of research,
Whalen - I am in favor of this
Garella - the negative vote was due to the single bin option, not due to any other numbers. If you don't go with this program, the cost will increase over time.
McGann - clarification question on bidder delivery of new truck
Nutting - either bidder would have to meet the requirements of the RFP
Nutting - we went out with an increase in recycling, we have been to the Council previously on a pay-as-you-throw process and you didn't like that, we have now come with the single stream process
Pfeffer - my concern is with the seniors being able to handle the units
McGann - proceeding to ask Jeff
Mason - discussion is bordering on the item that would come up for discussion next week. This is for the totters, next week is the fee schedule
Nutting - we would need totters for this system
McGann - question on who pays for some items
Nutting - residents already pay for some items, some of which it will increase, the $25 fee may not be the contract, we haven't finished negotiation yet
McGann - how is there such a difference amongst the bidders
Nutting - I can speak to that, they have to meet the requirements of the RFP
Roll call (requires 2/3 majority)
Jones - can we combine this and do this next week
Vallee - I am against this for the reasons I mentioned before
Passed 6-2 McGann, Vallee - both voted no
1 Absent (Zollo)
• Resolution 10-87: Rescission of Authorization to Borrow – Municipal Off-Street Parking
house keeping item, authorized several years ago, taking it off the books but it is not relevant to anything now
Motion to approve - passed 8-0
• Resolution 10-88: Rescission of Authorization to Borrow – Purchase of Street Lights
The purchases were made with cash and we did not need to borrow to pay for them.
Another house keeping item, authorized several years ago, taking it off the books but it is not relevant to anything now
Motion to approve - passed 8-0
• Resolution 10-85: Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations
a regular house keeping requirement, better to be a little under than over
motion to approve - passed 8-0
• Resolution 10-86: Authorization to Borrow for the Purchase of Trash Totters
motion to approve - passed
Discussion
Jeff in order to implement the new system, need to front the cost for the bins/totters
once paid off, the fee could be used to replenish them as needed and still drop over time
Vallee speaking against the purchase now, the timing is wrong
Nutting - We were told to fix this, we spent more than three years on this, we worked with the Recycling Committee, did a ton of research,
Whalen - I am in favor of this
Garella - the negative vote was due to the single bin option, not due to any other numbers. If you don't go with this program, the cost will increase over time.
McGann - clarification question on bidder delivery of new truck
Nutting - either bidder would have to meet the requirements of the RFP
Nutting - we went out with an increase in recycling, we have been to the Council previously on a pay-as-you-throw process and you didn't like that, we have now come with the single stream process
Pfeffer - my concern is with the seniors being able to handle the units
McGann - proceeding to ask Jeff
Mason - discussion is bordering on the item that would come up for discussion next week. This is for the totters, next week is the fee schedule
Nutting - we would need totters for this system
McGann - question on who pays for some items
Nutting - residents already pay for some items, some of which it will increase, the $25 fee may not be the contract, we haven't finished negotiation yet
McGann - how is there such a difference amongst the bidders
Nutting - I can speak to that, they have to meet the requirements of the RFP
Roll call (requires 2/3 majority)
Jones - can we combine this and do this next week
Vallee - I am against this for the reasons I mentioned before
Passed 6-2 McGann, Vallee - both voted no
1 Absent (Zollo)
• Resolution 10-87: Rescission of Authorization to Borrow – Municipal Off-Street Parking
house keeping item, authorized several years ago, taking it off the books but it is not relevant to anything now
Motion to approve - passed 8-0
• Resolution 10-88: Rescission of Authorization to Borrow – Purchase of Street Lights
The purchases were made with cash and we did not need to borrow to pay for them.
Another house keeping item, authorized several years ago, taking it off the books but it is not relevant to anything now
Motion to approve - passed 8-0
Live reporting - License
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - Application for a New Wine & Malt License – Spruce Pond Creamery
Motion to approve, Passed 8-0
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none
Motion to approve, Passed 8-0
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none
Live reporting - Town Council
Attending: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Powderly
Missing: Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 6, 2010
Motion to approve, with addition of sentence from S Whalen
Passed 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Michael Galvin, Franklin Resident, Vice-President - American Waste Services, LLC
speaking on cost for contract bidding of the waste program
"taking away services that residents currently have"
Robert Delllorco gave his five minutes to Michael to continue speaking
\(I'll add the recording of this later)
Gene Garella - Chairman, Recycling Committee
committee voted three times
unanimous to accept a single stream recycling
3-1 vote to accept (to be filled in)
voted against increasing the fee at Beaver St
program adds overflow bags to residents to cover for parties
recycling made easier with single stream
recycling increase should reduce waste tonnage
No questions allowed during citizens comments
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
Missing: Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 6, 2010
Motion to approve, with addition of sentence from S Whalen
Passed 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Michael Galvin, Franklin Resident, Vice-President - American Waste Services, LLC
speaking on cost for contract bidding of the waste program
"taking away services that residents currently have"
Robert Delllorco gave his five minutes to Michael to continue speaking
\(I'll add the recording of this later)
Gene Garella - Chairman, Recycling Committee
committee voted three times
unanimous to accept a single stream recycling
3-1 vote to accept (to be filled in)
voted against increasing the fee at Beaver St
program adds overflow bags to residents to cover for parties
recycling made easier with single stream
recycling increase should reduce waste tonnage
No questions allowed during citizens comments
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
More on cyberbullying
... we need to treat bullying as a public health issue. We reduced teen smoking and drunk driving with massive education programs. We can do the same with bullying.
We’ve learned little in the United States, even though the study cited our national anti-bullying efforts to date. I suspect that the reasons the US bullying rate has not moved are complex. But a good place to start is coming up this Sunday as a huge percentage of Americans will sit down in living rooms and bars and watch the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts play in the Super Bowl.
Most bullying begins with nasty words, and what will we certainly see on Sunday? We’ll see player after player jawing at each other and talking trash. No media outlet seems above glorifying in some way the top trash talkers in sports, whether it is reminiscing about Muhammad Ali or observing the most flamboyant athletes of the moment.
And read all of Derrick Jackson's column in the Boston Globe here
The MA Trial Court Law Library page here has a great collection on the legislation around cyberbullying
My preference is for starting at home. The schools can help but even if they do all they can, when a kid goes home and it is not reinforced, all the effort is lost.
Wha do you think?
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