Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Override & debt exclusion info in the archives
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
On this day: May 22, 2007 Franklin voted for the first operational override
While Franklin has successful passed debt exclusions for several school buildings (including most recently for the new high school in 2012), this was the only operational override passed.
"The votes came in to pass the first operational budget override in Franklin's Prop 2 1/2 history.https://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/05/vote-tally-override-52207.html
The final tally was 5,028 for and 3,722 against with 9 blanks and 8,759 total votes cast."
The override collection for the 2007 vote can be found here
https://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/04/franklin-override-collection.html
Yes, this was the beginning of Franklin Matters. The domain and new website came online in November 2007. Links to the prior posts on my personal blog are still valid in the archive where needed.
Franklin failed to pass operational overrides in 2008 and 2010 and has not had a vote scheduled since that time. However, next year maybe an opportunity.
Franklin override collection for 2010 (FY 2011)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html
Franklin override info for 2008 (FY 2009) (not a single collection; I learned as I went along to do so) https://www.franklinmatters.org/search?q=override%2C+2008
On this day: May 22, 2007 Franklin votes for first operational override |
Monday, June 7, 2010
Budget - Override Collection - FY 2011
Now what?
Letter from Ed Cafasso
Joint Statement on Override - June 8th
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/joint-message-on-june-8th-special.html
Scott Mason Interview on the whole gamut of topics around the vote on June 8th
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/fm-69-scott-mason-part-1-of-2.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/fm-69-b-scott-mason-part-2-of-2.html
Town Fiscal Year 2011 Budget document and cover letter
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/FY%2011%20Budget/
Budget Workshop (held Jan 25, 2010) to prepare for the budget
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/budget-workshop-collection-12510.html
Finance Committee budget hearings
May 4th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050410.html
May 6th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050610.html
May 10th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-051010.html
Town Forum at Horace Mann School Auditorium (video)
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=mGsI6gdlM4Tf2oFU7LAn9g%3d%3d
Town Council budget hearings
June 9th - meeting notes can be found here
June 10th
Franklin budget for FY 2010
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/FY%2010%20Budget/
Franklin budget documents for years prior to 2010
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/previous
Financial audit reports for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/Audits/
School Department/School Committee budget book
http://www.franklin.k12.ma.us/co/supt/budget/FY2011Budgetbook.pdf (PDF)
School Department proposed cuts to the level service budget (assuming override does not pass)
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/franklin-ma-school-budget-possible.html
School Committee override page
http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
Schools presentation on budget and need for override
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/franklin-ma-choice-we-have.html
Financial Planning Committee report (long term plan) and documents
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/financial%20planning%20committee%20report/
A series of posts on State Education Mandates (unfunded mandates)
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/state-education-mandates-collection.html
Invest in Franklin: http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/
The June 8th Special Election Flyer can be found here
The forums and events calendar to hear and discuss information on the Special Election June 8th can be found here
Franklin's override and debt exclusion history
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/franklin-ma-override-debt-exclusion.html
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Prop 2 1/2 Override?
- What other federal and state funds support the school department’s operating budget?
- Can the town guarantee that the funds from the override will always be spent exactly the same way?
- Why do some citizens disagree with rating agencies about Franklin’s debt?
- How does per pupil spending in Franklin compare with spending in other Massachusetts communities?
- We wouldn’t be in a crisis if we hadn’t spent money on the senior center, fire station and new ball fields.
- Pension costs are killing us, so why don’t town employees fund their own pensions?
- What in the world is free cash?
- I have heard some people suggest we should adopt a split tax rate that makes businesses in Franklin pay more property taxes. Wouldn’t that solve the problem?
- Why do parents pay fees for their children to ride the bus or participate in athletics?
- Can’t we keep using money from the stabilization fund to get rid of our budget deficits?
- My children are in the Charter School. Will the override affect them?
- The town officials have found money in the past. They’ll find it again this time, won’t they?
- What has the town done to try to eliminate waste and bring spending under control?
- I have heard people criticize the way the town is run. If that’s true, why should I give the town more of my hard-earned money?
- Why is the school district continually facing a budget gap?
- When would the impact of an override take effect in Franklin?
- Has Franklin really laid off teachers?
- Why have my taxes gone up so much in the last four years?
- Is it true that we have too many overpaid administrators?
- Why should the community support the school budget?
- Will the override solve all of our fiscal problems?
Significant comment discussion is also found in these articles on the Milford Daily News website
http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x1372400798/Franklin-puts-money-aside-to-pay-laid-off-workers
http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x1602636112/Franklin-proceeds-with-layoffs
http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x1602634672/Franklin-plans-for-layoffs
http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x682904107/Franklin-votes-on-tax-override-today
http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x682904075/Franklin-planners-OK-Big-Y
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x88774700/Case-made-for-Franklin-tax-override
http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x457996868/Franklin-schools-discuss-cuts
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x88775036/Franklin-principals-say-cuts-have-been-harmful
http://www.milforddailynews.com/newsnow/x644095507/GUEST-COLUMN-Vote-yes-on-Franklin-override
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Voices of Franklin: Dear Franklin Town Council & School Committee, "Please, vote to put the override on the ballot in June"
Voices of Franklin: Dear Franklin Town Council & School Committee, "Please, vote to put the override on the ballot in June" |
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html
Friday, May 30, 2008
What You Need to Know to Make an Informed Vote on June 10th
1. The Vote is Soon!
Voting will take place on June 10th at the Franklin High School Field House from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
2. The Proposed Override Will Average Only $243 per Household.
The override translates to an increased tax bill of only $243 per household. Since the tax payments are tax deductible, the after-tax cost is approximately $168 or about 50 cents a day.
3. Without the Override, You May End Up Spending More
You could be spending more per year by voting down the override because of cost increases for items such as pay-to-ride and athletic participation fees. If the override fails, there will be a $100 increase per student in the pay-to-ride bus, and cancellation of late bus service for students who need to stay after school for academic, clubs and extracurricular programs.
4. Franklin's Educational Spending is efficient.
Currently, Franklin is spending $2,200 less per pupil in 10 of the 11 State Department Education categories than the average in the state. We would have to add $13 million to the education budget just to be average spenders in the state.
5. Pink Slips Were Not Delivered for Dramatic Effect.
Teachers and administrators who received Pink Slips last week will indeed be gone if the override doesn't pass. This translates to a loss of approximately 43.5 teaching positions – 16 at Franklin high, 12.5 at the middle school level, and 15 at the elementary level.
6. It Will Be a Step Back for Franklin if Layoffs Occur.
The number of classroom teachers in Franklin is as follows:
School year | # of classroom teachers |
2003-04 | 408 |
2004-05 | 459 |
2005-06 | 449 |
2006-07 | 466 |
2007-08 | 443 |
During that same time period, enrollment in the Franklin schools has increased by approximately 500 students and the Keller-Sullivan schools were opened. If the override is unsuccessful, the number of classroom teachers is expected to dip below 400 for the 2008-2009 school year, which means we will have less teachers than we had in 2003, but 500 more students and a new school facility.
7. Class Size Will Significantly Increase Without the Override.
The range for elementary school class sizes will increase to between 19 to 30 students per class. The middle school and high school will average roughly 25 to 30 students per class.
8. The Charter School Will be Impacted.
The Town of Franklin per pupil cost directly drives state re-imbursement for the Charter School. If we spend less, the Charter School will get less.
9. Unemployment Costs the Town.
If the town rejects the override, it is liable for up to $675,000 in unemployment for the laid-off teachers and administrators.
10. Families With Young Kids Are the Lowest Voting Population in Franklin
Regardless of how you vote, make your voice heard about this issue. Absentee ballots are one solution for busy families who want to be heard. Absentee ballots can be submitted at the Town Clerk's Office, 355 East Central Street, between 9am and 4pm. The deadline for absentee ballots is noon on June 9th.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Simple choice - maintain or cut
As demand for services rise our staff levels continue to fall. There are two unpleasant solutions to this problem. Continue to reduce services or increase taxes.From the FY 2005 Budget Statement (PDF) published by Jeff Nutting in April 2004. This quote can be found on the bottom of page 11. The override mentioned was held in November 2004 and it failed by a 1,148 votes.
An override will be requested for the FY 06 Budget. I estimate it will require approximately $4 million to maintain the level of services that currently exist. A successful override will allow us to balance the budget in the short term but in the long run the fundamental gap between revenues and expenses will arise creating the same problem in the future. The only long-term solution will depend upon changing the the tax laws to curtail the over reliance on the property tax as the primary source of funding local government.
The override is intended to address the current financial problems. It does not address the need to upgrade the high school, reconstruct roads and sidewalks, or fund a hugh unfunded health insurance obligation. These issues will have to be addressed over the next three years.
The future fiscal years beyond FY 07 will be difficult to deal without additional revenues. Please carefully review pages 4-6 titled FY 08 Budget Projections. You will note that with a very modest 2.5% increase in general costs along with increases in energy, health insurance, etc. the town will face a multi-million dollar shortfall. The 2.5% increase is not adequate to provide the same level of services that are currently provided and will lead to reductions in school/municipal services. realistically, the increase would need to be closer to 5% to maintain services. There is no way to avoid the eventual reality that our reserves are dwindling while our costs continue to rise faster than our revenues. I believe that FY 08 will be the year that difficult choices will have to be made in order to balance the budget.From the FISCAL 2007 Annual Report published April 20, 2006 (PDF) by Jeff Nutting. The quote can be found on the bottom of page 2. The difficult choices mentioned did occur in FY 08 and resulted in the first operational override to pass in Franklin by a margin of 1,306 votes.
Final Comment - What do you get for your property taxes?This is from the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Statement (PDF) as published by Jeff Nutting in March 2008. This quote can be found on the top of the last page, page 11.
Franklin's property taxes are very reasonable. Unlike other taxes we pay, all of your property tax dollars remain in Franklin. The average tax bill in Franklin is $3,872. That amount provides high quality education, saves property and lives, plows your streets, provides library and recreational opportunities, and assists our senior citizens and veterans. When you need a paramedic, police officer, or other public service, they are a phone call away. Your tax dollars are used to improve your quality of life, and in the case of property owners, maintain and increase the value of your investment. In good times or bad, we strive to be prudent with your tax dollars and be responsive to your needs.
As these quotes from the budget information provided during the past several years indicate, an override this year is not a surprise. We have a systemic issue that is not being addressed. We have avoided the painful choices by drawing down the stabilization fund. It is no longer a smart fiscal choice to make. The choice remaining is to cut services (in this case educational services for our children) or raise taxes.
Put all the other arguments aside: Do you want to maintain our quality educational services or do we start cutting deeper than we have before?
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Learn all you can by visiting here frequently.
Visit the School Committee override page for the schedule of information sessions
You can find override related information here
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Town Council after much discussion votes to set June 11 as date for a $6.8M Prop 2 1/2 override (audio in 2 parts) Town Council after much discussion votes to set June 11 as date for a $6.8M Prop 2 1/2 override (audio in 2 parts)
This session shares the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in 2 parts.
All 9 councilors took part in Chambers.
Part 1 (~2 hours)
Covers the first hour of the meeting
Citizen Comments
Approval of Minutes - March 13, 2024
Proclamation: Chris Stearns, Franklin TV
Police Department - Introduction of Mental Health Clinician Caroline Ferris
Appointment to Conservation Commission - Nicole Chiaramonte
Presentation: FY23 Financial Audit - Scott McIntire, Partner, Marcum LLP
And then skips past the Override presentation to jump to the citizens comments on the override and then the closing of the meeting
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1190-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-05-01-24-part-1-of-2
Part 2 (~ 2 and a quarter hours)
Includes the entire section of the joint presentation by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere including the Council question and answers
Many department heads also spoke for the pledge
Legislation for Action
Resolution 24-19: Override Pledge to the Citizens of Franklin
Resolution 24-20: Setting Date of Proposition 2 ½ Override Ballot
Resolution 24-21: Proposition 2 ½ Override Ballot Question
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1191-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-05-01-24-part-2-of-2
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The Franklin TV broadcast of the 4 hour plus session is available for replay on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9nkmKHkrxA
Agenda and supporting documents for this session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fixed_tc_agenda_v4.pdf
Joint presentation doc-> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/4b._2024-05-01_override_pledge_presentation.pdf
My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fv18ylsYtYhbaSiLXkEDkZLQkm8C-2Q1/view?usp=drive_link
Photo album with the slides as captured during the presentation on Wednesday
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dDxgDMFrcXDaNqR78
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news
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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Sunday, May 4, 2008
In the news - seniors tax break bill not likely this time around
The situation is not unique to Franklin: the elderly are pitted against young people in a battle to pass a Proposition 2-1/2 tax override that keeps schools competitive during budget crises.
Seniors on fixed incomes speak out about their struggle to pay for basic needs and hang onto their homes, while those who are the voice of another vulnerable population - children - endure attacks for proposing a tax increase.
Now that Franklin is in the throes of an override battle, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy is urging citizens to appeal to their senators (Sens. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, and Karen Spilka, D-Ashland) to pass a bill permitting towns to exempt eligible seniors from tax overrides.
On Feb. 28, the House overwhelmingly (111-34) passed Bill No. 2840, which gives Franklin's Town Council the ability to give this tax break to seniors aged 65 or older with a family income of $60,000 or less (if their real estate tax payments exceed 10 percent of their total income). The bill was sent to the Senate and referred to the Senate Ethics and Rules Committee.
Read the remainder of the article in the Milford Daily News here
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Franklin seniors seek override relief
By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff
Sun May 04, 2008, 12:08 AM EDT
FRANKLIN -A group of women playing Scrabble at the Franklin Senior Center recently said a bill protecting them from override taxes ``sounds good'' to them.
``Oh yes, definitely,'' said senior Clare Flynn.
The women ``don't make nearly $60,000,'' and their Social Security income is so low, they are considered to be living in ``poverty,'' they said, laughing and adding they would like to be given the same tax breaks as billionaires.
An exemption would not automatically compel them to vote in favor of a Proposition 2« tax override, however, they said.
``It would depend on what the override is for, if it seemed they (town officials) spent money foolishly, and why they reached the point where they'd have to call for an override,'' Flynn said.
``If the money really would go for what they're saying, then I'd consider it,'' she said.
Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here
Monday, April 14, 2008
In the News - override views mixed, FINCOM to hear school budget
Dale Lippert, a retired instructor from Dean College, didn't pause before expressing his thoughts on a tax override to save the schools from drastic layoffs and cuts this year.
Sitting at the Honey Dew Donuts on Rte. 140, Lippert shook his head, and looking to his friend, another senior, said, "It's not going to happen."
"The bucket is only so deep. I don't think it's a Franklin issue - I think it's a U.S. issue, an economy issue," said Lippert, lamenting the rising cost of gas, milk, and bread.
People on fixed incomes can't meet their basic needs, and others are losing their homes, he said.
"I was a teacher, and I'm 150 percent in favor of education, but there has to be fiscal responsibility. They can't just keep asking people (for more)," Lippert said.
If Franklin puts a tax override question on a ballot this year, he predicted, "a gray revolution" - the senior generation organizing to fight it - adding that he'd be "on the front line."
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
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Tonight, School Committee Chairman Jeff Roy will make two financial requests of the Finance Committee: To support a tax override and agree to a $58.6 million budget for schools - $3.2 million on top of Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting's proposed $55.4 million budget.
The School Committee is seeking the tax hike to fund a budget sufficient to maintain the same level of services, teachers and staff at schools.
An adequate tax override would prevent 45 layoffs (mostly teachers) in schools and increased pay-to-ride fees, and save the late bus.
"I'm hoping the Finance Committee will support an override, or at least an override question. I think it's the only real option, because there aren't any real sources of (additional) revenue," he said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Monday, December 1, 2008
FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE September 4, 2008
September 4, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm
Members present: Finance Committee Chair James Roche,
Councilors Deborah Bartlett, Steve Whalen and Shannon Zollo (arrived at 8:09pm)
Finance Committee member Rebecca Cameron,
Residents, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek.
Members not in attendance: School Committee Members, Roberta Trahan and Matt
Kelley.
Also present were Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, and School Superintendent Wayne
Ogden and residents Jim Gianotti, Stacey Bower and Steve Sherlock.
Minutes reviewed by Committee for June 11, 2008, July 10, 2008 and August 7, 2008
Motion by Councilor Bartlett to Approve
Vote: Yes 9
No 0
Goal Discussion:
The Committee discussed:
- Maintaining same level of service may require an override
- Override – What it is going to cost
The group discussed the budget and decided to look at large expense drivers such as
- General Government
- Education
- DPW
- Questionnaire from Jeff Nutting to Departments
Jeff Nutting will meet with Department Heads to discuss budget and arrange for them to
meet with the Committee. (two per meeting)
The Committee also discussed cost of living percentage, inflation, health insurance. They
agreed that local government not sustainable in current mode.
Schools discussion:
- School had more layoffs than other departments
- School Choice Funds
- High School Renovations
- Enrollment
- SPED
- 2-3 yr Commitment other spending
- Are fixed costs coming up
- High School trajectory is toward probation (NEASC)
- Resources into High School
Other Departments that need funding discussed:
- Police
- Fire
- Library
- DPW
Next meeting will have budget spreadsheets and two Department heads will attend.
Comments from visitors:
- Good ideas to review Department Heads budget (metric w?
- Stick with main points
- Like to see more residents involved and at meetings
- Commends Committee for efforts
Next Meeting scheduled for September 18, 2008
Next Agenda – (tentatively)
- Public Safety
- DPW and Facilities
- Fixed Costs
- Library
Meeting adjourned
Respectfully,
Jeff Nutting
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
More 'Yes' than 2008, but not enough
In 2008, the override failed by a vote of 4290 to 3382.
In 2010, the override failed by a vote of 4143 to 3820.
Precinct | Yes Chg | No Chg |
1 | 103 | -26 |
2 | 22 | -27 |
3 | 74 | -22 |
4 | 42 | -23 |
5 | 58 | -7 |
6 | 52 | -33 |
7 | 60 | -29 |
8 | 7 | 20 |
418 | -147 |
A comparison of the 2010 to 2007 and 2010 to 2008 is shown below:
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
FM #11 - School Committee 8/26/08
Time: 40 minutes, 6 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes
Music intro
My intro
FM #11
From the School Committee meeting on Tuesday 8/26/08, there were a few items of real interest. There are a number of items on the agenda and respectfully while all of them are important these are the most important. The most significant item of all for the week occurred after the public portion of the meeting but we’ll get to that in due course.
If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write something worth reading or do things worth the writing. Benjamin Franklin
Pay-to-Ride
Miriam Goodman and Maureen Sabolinski provided an update on the pay-to-ride program. Miriam also had an analysis (copy of the one pager provided) of pay-to-ride for the past four years and an outlook for this school year 2008-2009.
Late bus
Based upon the decline in enrollment Supt Wayne Ogden recommended keeping with the failed override plan of cutting the late bus. It was not included in the budget unless the override had passed so no additional action was required of the School Committee on the recommendation. There was additional discussion primarily from Ed Cafasso to find the “short money” and keep the bus running. There was not additional support for this idea across the committee. The override failed hence no late bus.
FHS Scheduling problem
The High School encountered a scheduling problem. After cutting the teachers and the classes associated with the override failure, the schedule came up with a hole were approx. 200 students had an empty period. As state last forbids study halls, they played with a couple of options. One additional teacher (in English) resigned in early August and backfilling that position with another English teacher did not provide coverage for the schedule. Backfilling the English teacher with a music teacher did cover the hole so they did hire a music teacher.
The major news of the week occurred after the public portion of the School Committee meeting ended. As you have no doubt heard by now, Supt Wayne Ogden submitted his resignation effective June 30, 2009. To those who call him a quitter, he is hardly that. A quitter would have provided two weeks or less notice and gone out the door. Wayne took the far more courageous option of providing significant notice to the School Committee in order for them to start to look for a replacement, while he continued in his role running the school department.
Yes, it is a disappointment but Franklin voters have no one to blame but themselves. The majority of those who came out to vote on the override defeated the increase to provide a level service budget to the schools. The real issue lies with the many, many voters who did not come out to vote at all. As I have mentioned previously, the quick numbers on the override showed that 500 voters changed their vote from 2007 to 2008 and voted NO. An additional 1000 voters who came out in 2007 to vote Yes, simply did not show up.
We do have tough time ahead of us. We need to work together. We need to make our presence felt at each and every school committee meeting and town council meeting.
Don’t just sit there.
Please get up and do something.
If you need inspiration, view the Do You Believe video posted from YouTube on Franklin Matters on 8/30/08.
The Ben Franklin quote comes from the following website:http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Benjamin_Franklin/31
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This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock
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 musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
Saturday, May 29, 2010
FM #69-A Scott Mason - Part 1 of 2
Time: 28 minutes, 7 seconds
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-69-a-scott-mason-part-1-of-2
Show Notes and Quotes:
This internet radio show or podcast
Number 69 in the series for Franklin Matters.
This is a special edition and divided in two parts for ease of listening. I sat on the Franklin Town Common to catch up with Town Council Chair Scott Mason. We spent about 50 minutes covering the whole gamut of issues around the special election coming up June 8th
As we did sit out in the open on the Common, there will be some background noise from a passing police car siren and then one of the groundskeepers finishing up some of the mowing getting ready for Memorial Day weekend. I was able to remove most of the mowing noise without hindering the conversation with Scott.
Notes and quotes from the first segment
busy with the informational meetings
what does it mean to services if the override passes or if the override fails
there are some people only peripherally aware of the election
there are some people who no matter what the issue is they don't want to hear about tax increases
there are some people who appreciate the information being provided
Long term planning committee, developed the five year outlook for Franklin
there is an over-reliance on state aid, we are a well run community
need to increase the tax base one way is to increase taxes
Prop 2 ½ specifically gives the voters the choice on the level of services to be provided
An opportunity to invest in Franklin and see the direct benefits from your tax dollars
We have had to be creative with less
I hear “We are poorly managed” and that is far from the truth
we get a lot of bang for the buck here in Franklin
Lost 100 teachers over last five years, yet increased 1,000 students in the same period
if we lost so many, how can there be waste?
We have lost 50 Town employees in the same period
Observation that the schools are quicker now, calling a snow day due to the time it takes to clear the sidewalks and roads, because it takes longer these days
“Rumor dejour” “everybody in DPW got new trucks” it is just not true
The vehicles are well taken care of
the Bucket truck was purchased used and came with a paint job
Instead of $130,000 brand new it was purchased for about $30,000
the police dispatchers, if override doesn't pass, could be an issue
if we get two calls at the same time, or back to back, there could be an extra wait
if that is for a health issue, that could be a real problem with response
Council not happy with creating that situation
Schools 'have too many administrators'
we are below average in all eleven categories for those tracked by the DESE
for the administrators, we are under the state avg by 52%
class sizes will increase to 28 and to 30
the level of interaction with the teachers goes away
the high performing students won't be affected as much but the vulnerable one will see it
“our most vulnerable citizens stand to suffer the most if this override doesn't pass”
As the schools accounted for over half of the overall town budget
80% of the budget is teachers – due to all the other cuts made over the years
class trips cut, books cut, they are provided by PCC or other means but not by the Town
teacher cuts are not the only place the pain will be felt
athletic fees will increase to $175 and be on a tiered scale up to $450 for hockey
activity fees will increase to $50
“Jeff Roy has said we are supposed to be in the business of providing a free education but it is no longer free”
for parents, particularly with kid sin high school, it should be cheaper pay for the override versus the athletic and activity fee increases
eliminate three buses, longer commutes
truncating one day by an hour or so at the elementary schools to save three teachers
“it has been a general philosophy around the world to increase the length of the school days and here we are in Franklin shortening the day”
if the override doesn't pas this year, next year they'll be looking at more teacher layoffs, they'll look at full day kindergarten possibly going to half day, they'll look at athletics again
“I can't imagine a high school sports tradition like Franklin has and having to cut it”
“At the end of the day,the voters are going to decide what type of town they want to live in”
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!
Part 2 can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/fm-69-b-scott-mason-part-2-of-2.html
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to listen to the audio recording