Contract ratifications scheduled

Four of the nine union bargaining units have reached a tentative contract agreement. The settlement for each of the four is outlined in the Town Council agenda document. Each has contract language changes in additional to the money agreement.

All four have agreed to a 1.5% increase for FY 2013, a 2% increase for FY 2014 and a 2.5% increase for FY 2015. Three of the four receive a one time cash payment of $600, the fourth (the custodians) receive a $500 cash payment.

The money for the cash payment comes from the extra $151,114 that Franklin received in Oct 2011. This amount was local aid from the State added over and above the amount previously allocated. Franklin put the money aside in a special account. They need to allocate it within FY 2012 or it will roll into the "free cash" account and not be available until the "free cash" is approved later this year.

What this does to the overall question of the teacher contract $350,000 which is scheduled to be drawn back from the Stabilization account for use in the FY 2013 budget remains to be seen. As previously reported here, the FinCom did not specifically approve this transaction although they did approve the total Town budget which requires this amount to balance it. They do have time to vote on it before the Town Council budget hearings are held on May 23-24.

One other note, while so much was made of the teacher increase and how it was communicated, almost glossed over was the increase amounts of .5% for FY 2012 and 1% for FY 2013. Both of these amounts are now equivalent to the Town contract settlements. If it was revealed what increase the is that would be scheduled beyond FY 2013, I have not been able to locate in my notes. I suspect as they are exploring the interest based bargaining approach to addressing the systemic problem with the steps and lanes that there was agreement beyond FY 2013.


Related posts:


Town Council agenda items for May 2, 2012

2. Resolution 12-26: Appropriation: FY 12 Wages (Contract Settlement)3. Resolution 12-27: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Public Safety Telecommunications 4. Resolution 12-28: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Public Facilities Employees5. Resolution 12-29: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Municipal Building Employees 6. Resolution 12-30: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Custodians

• Full agenda document with the details on the contract settlements for each bargaining unit. http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/050212.pdf 
• School Committee teacher contract discussion with Town Council
• Live reporting from the Council meeting http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/live-reporting-school-committeeteacher.html
• Ed Cafasso letter summary of the issue http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/10-6-franklin-school-update.html
• Joint budget subcommittee meeting on the issue http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/live-reporting-joint-budget.html  and my summary of what the outlook might be http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/what-will-happen-oct-26th-remains.html
• Council meeting of Oct 26 http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/live-reporting-school-budget-discussion.html
• The extra $151,114 arrives http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/ma-confirms-151114-coming-to-franklin.html
• The FinCom session on Weds 4/25/12 provides the insights into the use of the $151,115
• http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/live-reporting-fincom.html

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 2, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Special Council Meeting April 12, 2012,
Executive Session April 18, 2012

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS – This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

• Robert Russell – National Grid
• Mike D’Angelo – Facilities Director
• Procedure to Issue Package Store License
• FY 13 Local Aid

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-25:Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Beaver Court, Mark’s Way, and J.R.’s Lane and Order of Taking (Extinguishment) of Related Right-of-Way Over Abutting Town-Owned Land – Referral to Planning Board
2. Resolution 12-26: Appropriation: FY 12 Wages (Contract Settlement)
3. Resolution 12-27: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Public Safety Telecommunications
4. Resolution 12-28: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Public Facilities Employees
5. Resolution 12-29: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Municipal Building Employees
6. Resolution 12-30: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Custodians
7. Resolution 12-31: Transfer Order for Unexpended Bond Proceeds
8. Bylaw Amendment 12-681: Amendment to Chapter 4, Administration of Government – 2nd Reading
9. Bylaw Amendment 12-682: Amendment to Chapter 110, Licenses and Permits, Designation of Issuing Authority – 2nd Reading

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


The full set of documents for the agenda can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/050212.pdf

Share your wedding gown with history!

The Franklin Historical Museum is preparing for the return of their very popular Wedding Dress Exhibit. It will include dresses representing each decade of the last century and back to the late 1800's. The exhibit will run in June and July, dresses should be received before May 19.

If you would like to loan your wedding gown, or your Mom's or grandmother's gown to the museum for this beautiful exhibit, you can contact Debbie Pellegri at Franklin Town Hall, 508-520-4900 or drop off your dress with your name and as much information as you would like to share during Museum hours: Saturday 10:00am - 1:00pm; Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm and Thursdays 5:00pm-8:00pm.

For more information visit our Facebook page.

Franklin Art Center 1 year anniversary and art opening

Franklin Art Center CREATIVITY     CULTURE     COMMUNITY SOLO SHOWING Orfeo Fabbri - Solo Opening Reception May 5th Please join us for the opening reception of Orfeo Fabbri May 5th at the Franklin Art Center from 5-8pm. Orfeo is an award winning artist living and working on Cape Cod while studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. His work has been described as having a "…very strong, saturated color and powerful compositions, sometimes including mixed media. His techniques include extensive use of the palette knife, thus his surfaces have the strength of an impasto surface" -Melissa J. Woringer, Art Consultant See more of Orfeo's work at: www.OrfeoFabbri.com The Encounter May 5 - June 10, 2012 Orfeo has studied with some of Cape Cod's finest artists. He is a juried artist member of the Cape Cod Art Association and the Provincetown Art Association & Museum. In May (2009) he was awarded First Place in oil/acrylic by the Cape Cod Art Association for his piece, Sunday Afternoon, in the All Cape Cod Artist Juried Exhibit. Orfeo's work is included in private and corporate collections. For more infor mation contact Franklin Art Center atfranklinartcenter@gmail.com. Or call 508 887-2797. You're receiving this newsletter because you are also member of the FAA

Walk, Bike to School Day May 2

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Walk, Bike to School Day May 2

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 4/25/12

Thousands of elementary and middle school-aged children will celebrate Walk and Bicycle to School Day on Wednesday, May 2 during events promoted through MassDOT's Safe Routes to School Program.

In 2011, 162 schools from across the Commonwealth participated in this event, the largest to date.   The Safe Routes to School program has added more than 100 new partner schools this year.

MassDOT's Safe Routes to School program works with students, parents, school staff and local police departments across the Commonwealth to promote walking and bicycling to school.

"Massachusetts Walk and Bicycle to School Day reminds us that walking to school can be a fun, healthy and safe way to get to school," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey.  "These efforts strongly support our goals of promoting healthy transportation modes through the GreenDOT initiative and Healthy Transportation Compact."

Increasing the number of students who walk and bicycle to school helps improve students' health, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality in Massachusetts communities.

According to the US Department of Transportation, fewer than 16 percent of children walk or bicycle to classes.  School-related traffic can contribute more than 10 percent of morning rush hour traffic volumes in some communities, as well as significant air pollution. MassDOT established the Massachusetts Walk to School Day in 2007 to encourage healthy choices.

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Navigating school information

Realtor Warren Reynolds website 02038.com is full of good information about Franklin in addition to the homes for sale in the area. Two recent additions to his page are helpful to navigate around the school department website and the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).


He points out the key entry pages for the School Dept and School Committee. He gets you to the key comparison sections for each school district within the DESE page. Warren provides some screen shots and links to help you find the pages. Once there, you are free to explore further.

Official Sites for Franklin, MA Public Schools

by Warren Reynolds

School rankings: how do the public schools in Franklin, MA fare?

by Warren Reynolds

Thanks for sharing this information Warren!

Freeze Warning! Be Prepared

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Freeze Warning! Be Prepared

via Growing In Franklin by Franklin Community Gardens on 4/27/12

A note to our Gardeners from King Street Garden Coordinator Chris Clay:


Hello Everyone,

Tonight is the reason we don't plant our tomatoes and other hot weather plants until May, despite the amazing weather we've been having.  There is a strong chance of freeze tonight, and if you have planted tomatoes in your plot they will need protection to survive the night if the temperature dips to freezing.  If you do have tomatoes planted you have a couple of options to save them.

One is to transplant them out of the garden and keep them indoors overnight.  Tomato root systems are incredibly durable and can handle the transfer.  This is the only fool proof way to save them that I know of.

Another would be to purchase some floating row covers to cover your plot.  They will provide at least a couple of degrees of protection and may make the difference, though it will be dicey.  You can add additional coverage by placing multiple 2 liter bottles filled with warm water in the plot under the row covers.  This will provide a couple more degrees of protection.  If you buy a light floating row cover leave the cloth as doubled up as you can while covering the bed.  If you have other non-tomato warm weather plants this may be your best chance to save them.

Option three is to gamble that the weather service is wrong and see what happens.  In the worst case scenario you can always replant.

Peas and other cold hardy plants should do fine tonight, though a row cover never hurts.  This is primarily a warning for anyone who has planted warm weather plants.

Cheers,

Chris Clay


If you don't have any row covers, I have had luck with old towels and blankets, prop them up with sticks or pots or whatever works.  Just be sure to remove them in the morning!
 ~ Amy

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