Metro West/EDC Adolescent Health Survey - Part 1

At the School Committee meeting on November 27, 2007, Michelle Kingston Smith, Director, Instructional Services and Martha Donovan, K-12 Director Health/Physical Education presented the results for the Metro West/EDC Adolescent Health Survey.

The survey results are important to understand. This is where a good deal of focus on the education of our children should be. The issues raised by this survey can put an appropriate context around budget discussions.

The presentation was rather lengthy so I have split it up into three posts.

1. The first (this one) has the intro and my own notes taken during the presentation.
2. The second will have the audio file for the presentation itself.
3. The third will have the audio file for the question and answer discussion following the presentation.

The School Department web site has links for the executive summary for the Middle School results (PDF) and the High School results (PDF). Both these links are working.

The link to the presentation itself can be found here.

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My notes taken during the presentation on 11/27/07

Lifetime – tried it at least once in their lifetime

Trend in survey showing decline in reported usage of alcohol amongst middle school students
Alcohol most prevalent amongst high school, no difference between male/female,
10% admitted it interfered with their school work
48% high school admitted drinking within the last 30 days
This trend line was actually increasing over the study periods

Tobacco use, males more than females – middle school
Significant reduction in those admitting trying smoking (both MS and HS)
High school – 10% identified as daily smokers

Marijuana is a concern, there shows a reduction in MS
Steroids have dropped

HS – marijuana nearly as prevalent as tobacco for students as trying it
Students using marijuana using within 30 days, exceeds the smoker numbers

Biggest issue at HS bullying and fighting
Decrease from MS to HS, although increases from 2004, 2006 at HS
Electronic bullying increasing

Stress levels double from 9th to 12th grade, (i.e. college process)

Community involvement recommended to address these issues
15 components to be convened in the community involvement effort

Must celebrate trends going in the right direction
But we’re still taking about 10-20% of the population participating in risky behavior

Comparative analysis since 1999
How to provide the info to the parents, summary, call to action in some attractive but none-turning away manner

Introduction of Open Circle at kindergarten level helps
Middle school intervention programs
9th grade collaborative at the HS
Peer mentoring, peer leaders going through training now

Discussion on 1999, data, first year results seem not to be real
Chief Williams coming back to put this in perspective within the Town context

Avoid one shot assembly approach, programs work well when connected to curriculum
Have not looked at correlation with economy

Town Council Agenda 12/19/07 available

The agenda for the Town Council meeting scheduled for 12/19/07 is available on the Town website or directly here (PDF).

Blogs in plain English (video)

as part of a series on Web 2.0 technologies, here is an explanation of blogs by the folks at Common Craft:

Where in Franklin? Answer #23

Where in Franklin? Answer #23, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Ken identified:
"This property has been before the planning board and town council several times for public hearings. I believe the property was sold at a foreclosure auction last week. If so what will the new owner do with it?"

Time will tell.

Oh, and if you had not recognized where this open pit is located, you can find it along RT 140 at the entrance to Chestnut Ridge.

Thanks, Ken! Stay tuned for the next picture.

Town trying to project its building plans

By Rachel Lebeaux , Globe Correspondent / December 16, 2007

Now that Franklin has approved spending $300,000 for library and museum upgrades, some councilors want to get a better view of the big picture when it comes to future projects, and compile a new survey of the town's building woes

Read the full article here.

Brick Costs $37,600 Annually

Cost of Red Brick School: $37,600 annually

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - After debating the contents of their financial report, task force members studying the viability of the Red Brick School agreed yesterday that the historic building costs $37,600 to run annually, with $600 currently borne by town taxpayers.

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Where are the drains?

Where are the drains?, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Union Street was newly rebuilt this year. Nice sidewalks. Curbed road. New storm drains.

Oh, where are they?

Yes, they are there. Covered under the snow. The plows just did not get that last foot or so on each side of the road to reveal the drains.

In the entire rebuilt section from the Common to Cottage, I found only one visible drain cover. (Yes, the rebuilt section extends up passed Cottage to Washington Street, but we didn't walk that way this morning.)

Library Hangover

Library Hangover, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Pretty? maybe.

Pretty harmful to the insides? quite possibly, based upon what we have heard about the leaks.

youths take charity into their own hands

Franklin youths take charity into their own hands By Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff FRANKLIN - Twelve-year-old Kayla O'Brien doesn't have a long wish list this Christmas.

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The Web 2.0 thing explained (video)

I posted this to the Joyful Jubilant Learning blog last year when I found it. It is still relevant today. Dr Michael Wesch prepared this. It moves quickly but can be replayed if you need to catch specific parts again.

Franklin in the news

Franklin community mourns teen killed in crash
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - Following a fatal rollover accident that took his life a week before he turned 17, Tobacco Road resident Matthew Blagdon is to be remembered at a wake today for his generosity and dedication to friends and family.

climate change a top priority

The state Department of Environmental Protection is making climate change a top priority, a senior official said yesterday.

Martin Suuberg, central region director for the state agency, outlined a handful of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He spoke before local business and municipal officials at a breakfast forum cohosted by the United Chamber of Commerce and the Norfolk County Commissioners' Office.

"Climate change is the central environmental challenge of our times," Suuberg said, adding the state will seek solutions to reduce emissions. "We've been waiting too long for a national solution."

Read the remainder of the article here

Superintendent's Evaluation

Chairman Jeffrey Roy reads the summary statement on the evaluation of Superintendent Wayne Ogden.

Time: 3 minutes, 0 seconds



MP3 File

My written notes from this portion of the meeting:

3 page summary, goals and major points
8 goals evaluated

(the evaluation) “needs to be more specific in quantitative and qualitative measures next time”
3% increase effective July 1, 2007

Brick Task Force Update

Sue Rohrbach provides an update on the Brick Task Force and asks for guidence on the report conclusion. The School Committee members comment on the conclusion and what they are looking for.

Time: 7 minutes, 43 seconds



MP3 File

For reference: the Brick Task Force charge can be seen here on the School Committee page

My written notes from this portion of the meeting:

Sue Rohrbach
Brick task force
5 of 6 tasks accomplished thus far, future use topic remains
Looking for guidance in terms of conclusion
Meeting this Saturday for three hours to complete and meet Jan 8th deadline

Roberta - Waiting for the data
Cora - Answer all the charges set forth, decision left to committee and superintendent
Matt – looking for a decision from the committee
Ed – not expecting a formal outcome, address the six issues, will expect that members are not going to be shy about saying what they think
Jeff – don’t get bogged down over any question, gather data and report back with answers to those six questions
Majority/minority report concept okay
Will get all the info, all the data, get all the backup

Franklin in the News

Senior center's glow a little too much for some By Michael Morton/Daily News staff FRANKLIN - While seasonal lighting displays spread good tidings, neighbors say the permanent lampposts at the senior center are doing anything but.

School Committee Meeting 12/11/07

The agenda has been posted (Word doc) for the School Committee meeting Tuesday night.

7:00 PM, Council Chambers

Where in Franklin? #23

Where in Franklin? #23, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Not even stumps of trees are left in this pit. Where is it located in Franklin?

The guidelines to play "Where in Franklin?" are found here.

Where in Franklin? Answer #22

Where in Franklin? Answer #22, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Picture #22 apparently was a stumper. A couple of guesses but no one had the Montessori Sunrise School located on Upper Union. The Fenway-like wall is on the right side in this view protected by the chain link fence.

As you come down Upper Union, with the Franklin Industrial Park on your left, the Montessori Sunrise School is located on the right with the Fenway wall visible.

Thanks for playing. Stay tuned for #23.

Franklin in the News

A family of performers

By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - For the Hancock family, Franklin Performing Arts Company's holiday production of ''Tis the Season' is becoming a family tradition. But not as members of the audience.

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Tax money from new growth lacking

By Aaron Wasserman, Daily News staff

The taxes area towns are collecting from new growth have declined substantially in the past three fiscal years, creating concern among some local officials about future budgets.

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Franklin in the news

Need for money is not an act

By Aaron Wasserman/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - When they learned money was tight for this year's high school musical, Alexandra Lonati and a group of student theater enthusiasts decided to take matters into their own hands.

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Franklin in the News

Franklin candidates report campaign spending

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - New Planning Board member Gregory Ballarino led all town candidates in spending for the November election, according to campaign finance forms filed with the town clerk, using his own money to buy $824.25 worth of yard signs.

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Franklin in the News

Franklin library disrepair criticized

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - Town Council voted to spend money on a library architect and museum renovations last night, but not before Councilor Joseph McGann questioned the cost and timing of the work at the leaking lending facility.

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Franklin taxes going up

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - The council voted to keep a single tax rate last night with little discussion on the perception that commercial and industrial properties are not assessed as high as they should be.

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A work of faith

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - When it comes to building a 7-foot tall menorah, it turns out there are no established instructions.

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Franklin in the News

Franklin officials review assessment data

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - With lingering questions about how commercial and industrial assessments are calculated, new analyses of the town's system are expected to be unveiled at tonight's final council tax rate hearing.

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Former Franklin official's firing a surprise

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - Ten years after controversial administrator Wolfgang Bauer resigned from running their town, current and former officials reacted with surprise yesterday to his firing from a similar job in Rhode Island.

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Where in Franklin? #22

Where in Franklin? #22, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Can you identify this location? Where do they have a Fenway style green wall overlooking a pool?

The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.

Enjoy!

Where in Franklin? Answer #21

Where in Franklin? Answer #21, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The correct answer to picture #21 is the Municpal Building on Rt 140, or East Central St.

Thanks for playing Susan.

Stay tuned for the next one!

Franklin in the News

White bricks in new building not everyone's favorite

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - With the second building in the Franklin Center Commons project nearing completion, some residents are questioning why the much-anticipated project contains bricks with a whitish hue rather than the traditional red as expected.

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West Warwick fires town manager over misspent river funds

By Staff reports

WEST WARWICK, R.I. - West Warwick Town Manager Wolfgang Bauer, who worked as town manager in Franklin, Mass., in the 1990s, has been fired by the town council, which found "gross mismanagement" of a river improvement project.

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Live, from Franklin ...

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - Unable in recent months to receive local public television channels, Verizon customers finally got a chance to watch a live town event with last night's Planning Board meeting.

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Board to seek new members

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - Planning Board Vice Chairwoman Paige Duncan will resign next month to spend more time with her family, Chairman Anthony Padula announced last night, prompting a search for a replacement.

Town Council Meeting Agenda 12/5/07

The agenda for the Town Council Meeting 12/5/07 has been posted to the town web site and can be found here (PDF).

The tax hearing resumes at 7:10 PM.


Audio recordings from the meeting 11/28/07 can be found here.

School Deficit - Discussion and Vote

The motion to take $590,000 from the Stabilization Funds to balance the books on the School Budget deficit before setting the tax rate.

Time: 8 minutes, 40 seconds



MP3 File

FY 09 Outlook

Jeff Nutting

Time: 2 minutes, 21 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 11

Doak, Bartlett, Nutting, Feeley, McGann

Time: 7 minutes, 17 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 10

Jane Curran, Eileen Mason, Lynn Narron (?)

Time: 5 minutes, 50 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 9

Zollo

Time: 1 minute, 57 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 8

McGann, Nutting, Roche

Time: 6 minutes, 51 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 7

Michael LeBlanc, Lisa Piana, Carol Harpin (?)

Time: 6 minutes, 26 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 6

Dave Collier (?)

Time: 2 minutes, 26 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 5

Susan Speers

Time: 5 minutes, 47 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 4

Pfeffer

Time: 1 minute, 50 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 3

Doak, Zollo, Roche

Time: 5 minutes, 35 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 2

McGann, Nutting, Roche

Time: 5 minutes, 52 seconds



MP3 File

Historical Comm Q&A 1

Whalen, Nutting, Bartlett

Time: 5 minutes, 36 seconds



MP3 File

Franklin Center Commons

Franklin Center Commons, originally uploaded by shersteve.

on a dreary slushy day, a photo from the sunshine on Saturday.

This is a good idea to let folks know how much is open and operating in the new building for those heading West on 140 coming into Franklin.

The way the sign is angled it does not help those heading East.

Franklin in the news

Cookie monsters invade Franklin church

By Aaron Wasserman/Daily News staff

Shelf space was in short supply yesterday morning in the Franklin United Methodist Church's kitchen. By 10 a.m. rows of cookies had already filled several baking sheets, their smell noticeable moments after walking in the church's side door.

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Chambers seek energy consultants to aid businesses

By Aaron Wasserman/Daily News staff

Several area chambers of commerce, concerned about volatile utility prices' impact on their members, are working with energy consultants to help local businesses control their costs.

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'Friends' help Franklin Senior Center get underway

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

Inside the game room of the town's new senior center, a donated pool table is already well on its way to bringing in more men to the community facility.

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Franklin artist helps reproduce historical town painting

By John Fenuccio/News Staff Writer

When the Historical Commission needed help restoring Admiral Louis Emil Denfeld’s portrait, it not only sought out a professional artist, but also a “townie.”

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Questioning tax share for businesses
By Alexandra Perloe - Globe Correspondent / December 2, 2007

Franklin officials have again entered the perennial debate on whether to continue taxing residential and commercial properties at the same rate, or convert to a dual, or split-rate, system.

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Where in Franklin? #21

Where in Franklin? #21, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Where is this scene?

The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.

Enjoy!

Where in Franklin? - Answer #20

Where in Franklin? - Answer #20, originally uploaded by shersteve.

"mns-franklin" provided the correct answer. This is the building located at the corner of King/Chestnut and 140 next to DeVita's Market.

Currently owned by the town and up for sale, the Four Corners building has generated some discussion during the run up to the election.

We came to Franklin in 1995 and I recall it being office space then. I recall buying flowers from the florist whose building (now torn down) was tucked tigthly along and angled lot in back of this building.

When did the Four Corners building end being a school? Sometime in the 1980's?

Chris Lavery gets recognized for good work

While recognizing the need for safeguards in the post-9/11 era, Lavery believes immigration law does need to be reformed.

"It can be incredibly draconian," Lavery said of U.S. immigration law. "There are laws in place that kind of curl your toes."

For example, he said, the law requires the detention of anyone with "even a minor offense," such as violating a visa. It can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to resolve such cases, Lavery said, and in the meantime the aliens are kept in corrections facilities along with people who have been tried and convicted of various crimes.

If an alien in detention gives up on becoming a U.S. citizen, Lavery said, even then it can take six to eight weeks before they are released to return to their countries of origin.

"There needs to be reform. The immigrant population here is just burgeoning," Lavery said. "It's about time we give them some kind of fair avenue to legalize their status here."

Read the full article by Heather McCarron in the Milford Daily News about the recognition Chris is receiving as a recipient of the Solas Appreciation Award.

Congratulations, Chris. Keep up the good work!

The drinking problem amongst our youth

Michael Morton writes on the report presented at the School Committee meeting this week that

Nearly half of town high school students participating in a health survey said they had drank alcohol recently, according to results released this week, with the rate exceeding the average regional consumption.

The survey, funded by the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation and conducted last spring by the nonprofit Education Development Center, found that 48 percent of the 1,350 Franklin high school students who took part in the survey said they drank within the last month. That figure was higher than the 42 percent average for the 18 MetroWest and Milford area communities that participated, but the same as the statewide rate.

"Every community is surprised it's that high," said Michele Kingsland-Smith, Franklin's director of instructional services. "If it were 35 (percent), it'd still be too high."

The survey's topics included alcohol, drug and tobacco use; violent behavior; suicide; and sexual behavior among middle school and high school students. While regional averages were released last month, Franklin unveiled its results during a School Committee meeting Tuesday, with a number of categories showing a continued downward trend.

This is an issue where Franklin can take control of it and put their own resources to use to make some real substantial progress. This is not just a school issue, this is a community issue.

Read the full article here.

Note: I do have the recorded presentation from the School Committee meeting in queue to post. You will be able to hear that important information for yourself.

Historical Commission Statement

Bob Percy, representing the Historical Commission read the prepared statement advocating to use the old Town Hall as the new lcation of the museum.

Time: 6 minutes, 30 seconds



MP3 File


Note: I did not hear the representative identify himself, nor did I catch anyone refer to him by name. If anyone can identify the individual, I will update this with his name.

Updated 12/3/07: As noted in the comment from Susan Spears, she had correctly identified Bob Percy as the representative. I did get an email from Bob to confirm as well.

Reapplication of Hotel Tax

Jeff Nutting proposes to reapply the hotel tax receipts for the next tax year to fund repairs to the old Town Hall and to the Library instead of continuing to build the open space fund

Time: 3 minutes, 40 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Citizens Comment 9

Jane Curran comments

Time: 41 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Citizens Comment 8

Ken Norman comments

Time: 1 minute, 14 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Citizens Comment 7

Dave Collier (?) comments. He his holding the microphone and not always talking into it so it makes this one hard to hear. J Nutting, S Zollo, S Whalen also speak during this time.

Time: 4 minutes, 4 seconds



MP3 File

Franklin in the news

From the Milford Daily News:

The Charter Commission recommendations are reported on here

Hotel tax revenue vote from Wednesday's Town Council meeting


From the Franklin Gazette:

The school deficit covered temporarily

Taxes to rise, no surprise since the override passed

Tax Hearing Citizens Comment 6

Tom Fleming comment

Time: 1 minute, 56 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Citizens Comment 5

Michael Doherty comment

Time: 4 minutes, 48 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Citizens Comment 4

Councilor Whalen makes his statement on assessment issue

Time: 1 minute, 22 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Citizens Comment 3

Councilor Zollo makes his statement on assessment issue

Time: 1 minute, 31 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Citizens Comment 2

Councilor Doak has a follow up question for LeBlanc

Time: 1 minute, 54 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Citizens Comment - 1

Michael LeBlanc shares his assessment analysis

Time: 17 minutes, 15 seconds



MP3 File

Michael LeBlanc's assessment analysis workbook

During the Town Council meeting 11/28/07, Michael LeBlanc handed out to the Town Council and those in attendance a couple of sheets with his analysis of the tax assessments on commercial/industrial versus residential properties.

The papers that he handed out came from the two pages in the workbook now posted online and available here.

Michael, thank you for sharing this work!

Tax Hearing Q&A - 11

Councilor McGann asks what is the distribution of split vs. single tax rates in MA

Time: 1 minute, 0 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Q&A - 10

Councilor Doak clarifies 2007 sales and assessment valuations

Time: 47 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Q&A - 9

Councilor Vallee clarifies the potential tax rates

Time: 1 minute, 11 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Q&A - 8

Councilor Whalen asks "Can you recast this spreadsheet?"

Time: 7 minutes, 34 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Q&A - 7

Chairman Feeley asks a question, Kevin Doyle responds

Time: 5 minutes, 35 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Q&A - 6

Councilor Pfeffer says this info is deceptive

Time: 1 minute, 26 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Q&A - 5

Councilor Zollo starts getting to the real question, Kevin Doyle sorta answers it, Dibaggis chimes in

Time: 6 minutes, 14 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Q&A - 4

Councilor McGann asks a question on the split tax rate scenarios

Time: 2 minutes, 0 seconds



MP3 File

Town Council Meeting 11/28/07 Summary

In chronological order of the meeting itself, my live postings with the audio sections and the newspaper coverage that corresponds.


Board of Assessors presentation (audio)

Questions on senior participation in deferments (Pfeffer, McGann) (audio)

Mason's question on single rate rationale (audio)

Doak's initial questions (audio)

McGann's question on split tax rate scenarios (audio)

Zollo gets to the point (audio)

This is a deceptive piece of information (Pfeffer)

This is deceptive (Pfeffer) (audio)

Chairman Feeley has his turn (audio)

Can you recast this spreadsheet? (Whalen)
Nutting's proposal on determining the assessed vs. sale valuations

Can you recast this spreadsheet? (Whalen) (audio)

Councilor Vallee clarifies the potential tax rates (audio)

Councilor Doak clarifies 2007 sales and assessment valuations (audio)

Councilor McGann asks what is the distribution of split vs. single tax rates in MA (audio)

LeBlanc's presentation on the assessed valuations
LeBlanc's handouts (two spreadsheets)

Michael Leblanc's analysis of the assessment issue (audio)

Doak follow up question for LeBlanc (audio)

Zollo statement on assessment problem (audio)

Whalen statement on assessment problem (audio)

Franklin needs to be competitive with India as well as Indiana (M Doherty)
M Doherty comment (audio)

T Fleming comment (audio)

D Collier (?) comment (audio)

caution you to use the information he has provided carefully
K Norman comment (audio)

J Curran comment (audio)

Jeff Nutting reviews the proposal for the Town Council to change the allocation of the Hotel Tax
Jeff Nutting (audio)

Historical Commission representative reads statement (audio)

Whalen, Nutting, Bartlett (audio)

McGann, Nutting, Roche (audio)

Doak, Zollo, Roche (audio)

Pfeffer (audio)

Susan Spears (audio)

Dave Collier (?) (audio)

Michael LeBlanc, Lisa Piana, Carol Harpin (audio)

McGann, Nutting, Roche (audio)

Zollo (audio)

Jane Curran, Eileen Mason, Lynn Narron (audio)

Motion to allocate the Hotel/Motel Tax per Nutting recommendation to next agenda

Doak, Bartlett, Nutting, Feeley, McGann and vote (audio)

Deficit in FY 09 will be far greater than FY 08 per Nutting (audio)

Motion to balance the discovered discrepancy in the School budget for FY 07 with transfer of $590,000 from stabilization

Milford Daily News coverage

Tax Hearing Q&A - 3

Councilor Doak's initial questions during the tax hearing

Time: 4 minutes, 46 seconds



MP3 File

Tax Hearing Q&A - 2

Councilor Mason's question on the reasoning for the single tax rate and not the split tax rate. DiBaggis and Norman reply.

Time: 4 minutes, 6 seconds



MP3 File

credibility of the town's government had once again taken a hit

From Michael Morton's article in the Milford Daily News:

Faced with a recently discovered $590,000 school funding gap, councilors voted last night to plug the hole with money from the town's savings account.

Although the Finance Committee recommended that the schools be held accountable by giving up $290,000 from their budget, and taking $300,000 from the fiscal stabilization fund, the council decided that it did not yet have enough information to assign responsibility.

Read the full article here recapping the Town Council meeting of 11/28/07.

Tax Hearing Q&A

Councilors Pfeffer and McGann with their initial questions on how many seniors apply for deferments for tax relief.

Time: 2 minutes, 14 seconds



MP3 File

live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Motion to balance the discovered discrepancy in the School budget for FY 07 with transfer of $590,000 from stabilization.

The auditors are scheduled to come to the Town Council at a future meeting to address the problem and make recommendations.

Role call -> 9-0 motion passed

Live blogging -Town Council meeting 11/28/07

Deficit in FY 09 will be far greater than FY 08 per Nutting.

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Motion to allocate the Hotel/Motel Tax per Nutting recommendation to next agenda.

Passed 7-2.

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

place holder for additional recorded citizens comment

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Citizens comment

Michael LeBlanc

place holder for recorded comment

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Citizens Comment

Susan Spears

place holder for recorded comment on use of open space/community preservation

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

placeholder for recording of comment by Historical Commission representative

Live Blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Jeff Nutting reviews the proposal for the Town Council to change the allocation of the Hotel Tax. He proposes to use $90,000 for an architect to provide an assessment on repairs required for the library. He also proposes to use $200,000 to make repairs to the old Senior Center in preparation for the Museum.

The Town Council would need to make a vote to appropriate the money for these uses. Otherwise, the money would go into the open space fund as originally allocated.

The vote would need to take place before the tax rate is set at the meeting next week.

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Tax rate - Citizen Portion

Ken Norman

Michael Leblanc is an honorable man, I have worked with him, he does good analysis. I would caution you to use the information he has provided carefully... Let's get Mr Whalen and Mr LeBlanc together and see what they can come up with.

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Tax rate - Citizen portion

Michael Doherty

"If there is a problem with assessments, fix that problem, do not address it with it a split tax rate... Franklin needs to be competitive with India as well as Indiana... You increase the pie by selling the properties we are trying to, get them on the tax role."

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Tax Rate Citizen comment portion

Michael LeBlanc speaking

Commercial/Industrial properties

64 properties sold from 2004 to 2007, reduced to 54 for analysis
pre-assessed value of these properties sold $264
difference is 96 million, assessment 36% below what they were sold for

9 of the properties, had an assessed value higher than the sale price
55 were below, Franklin Village was the single biggest difference

family homes

895 properties, presale 384 million 5%
262 were assessed higher than sale
633 were valued less than sale price


From Kevin - Board of Assessors in response to questions from M LeBlanc

more than 50% of the properties provide the information on income and expenses
if they don't supply the information, the business would waive their right to appeal the tax assessment, they may jeopardize their appeal at the state level, they are also subject to a $50 penalty.


there were several properties in the Industrial Park that were assessed for 45.7 million, sold for 67.8 million; the current year assessments went down to 42 million.

Summary: The business are effectively getting a tax break of about $2.5 million that the residents are picking up.

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Tax rate Q&A

Jeff Nutting proposed to pick the properties that sold around $1 million, which would be about 20 or so properties, to re-do the calculation and include that years assessed value for those properties to make a determination as to whether there is an undervaluation of business commercial properties.

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Tax rate Q&A

Can you re-cast this spreadsheet to show the assessed valuation at the time of the sale? Could you do that for us?

from Stephen Whalen during this discussion

After some clarification, yes, they can and will do that.

Town Council Tax Hearing 1

The presentation by the Tax Assessors on 11/28/07 and their recommendation for the tax rate for FY 09

Time: 5 minutes, 42 seconds



MP3 File

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

Tax rate hearing: Q&A

"This is a deceptive piece of information... not apples to apples, oranges to oranges.."

said by Judith Pond Pfeffer in reference to the discussion around the information provided on assessed value versus sales price of local business/commercial properties since 2005.

Where in Franklin? #20

Where in Franklin? #20, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Let's see if you can identify this building.

The guidelines to play "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.

Enjoy!

Before setting the tax rate

With the library leaking and the museum headed for a new downtown home, the Finance Committee recommended last night that money for the projects be taken from a fund dedicated in the past to open space.

The fund currently holds $1.6 million and is drawn from the town's hotel/motel tax. While that money would remain earmarked for open space, upcoming earnings from the current fiscal year would go to the library and the museum under a plan proposed by Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting and recommended by the Finance Committee.

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Since the Finance Committee is an advisory group, the Town Council is expected to discuss the museum and library tonight (Wednesday 11/28/07). To use the hotel/max tax for purposes other than open space, the council must make a final decision before setting the tax rate.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

Town Council Meeting - Important Agenda Items

Given the recent discrepancy found in the school budget, the agenda calls for correcting this imbalance.

The Finance Committee met tonight as well as the School Committee. I chose to attend the School Committee meeting. We can depend on Michael Morton of the Milford Daily News to report on the FINCOM meeting.

A brief discussion with some members of the FINCOM after their meeting seemed to indicate they propose for the shortfall to be split between the Town and the Schools. The Town piece would be covered by the not yet certified "free cash" (in the mean time from the stabilization fund) with the School piece to be absorbed with additional budget cuts.

Yes, the schools already took a 2.1 Million cut (as the override only covered 2.4 of what they requested) and will apparently need to absorb another $300K.

We'll see what the Town Council does Wednesday 11/28/07.

The scheduled agenda can be found here (PDF file).

Michael Morton's recap of the Finance Committee meeting can be found here.

Franklin School Committee Statement 11/27/07 (audio)

The statement made by the Franklin School Committee regarding the budget shortfall just revealed as read by Chairperson Jeffrey Roy at the meeting 11/27/07

Time: 2 minutes, 53 seconds



MP3 File

an image version of the statement is available here
the text version of the statement is available here

School Committee Statement 11/27/07 (image)

School Committee Statement 11/27/07, originally uploaded by shersteve.

A image of the statement as read by Chairperson Jeffrey Roy Tuesday night at the School Committee meeting regarding the financial discrepancy just discovered.

School Committee Statement 11/27/07 (text)

Statement for November 27, 2007 Meeting


During the process of closing the financial books for the 2007 fiscal year, the Town Comptroller discovered irregularities in the school district’s accounts. Specifically, several 2007 expenses were charged against the 2008 budget. This practice is not allowed under Massachusetts Municipal Finance Law.

The Franklin School Committee, in conjunction with the Town Council, immediately ordered a complete legal and financial review of the circumstances surrounding these irregularities. Our effort includes an independent professional audit covering fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007.

In addition, the school district’s finance director has been placed on administrative leave.

Preliminary information indicates that these accounting irregularities may result in a shortfall of approximately $590,000 in the budget for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2007.

However, the internal review and independent audit are still ongoing and the precise circumstances of the problem will not be known until both are completed. We expect the results to be presented to the School Committee and the Town Council sometime in mid to late December.

On the advice of our attorney, the School Committee and School Administration will not discuss this matter publicly or privately until such time as the review and audit are completed. Further discussion before then could create significant budget, legal and personnel issues for the schools and the town that would jeopardize efforts to understand the full circumstances of the situation.

Members of the School Committee and School Administration take this matter very seriously, which is why we have initiated a comprehensive review and audit and took the personnel action we did. We will provide a full legal and financial accounting as soon as possible after the detailed results of the investigation are completed.

Isabella's Menu - Page 2

Isabellas_2a, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Isabella's is also a good supporter of local groups and organizations. For a period of time one day during the week, they'll share a percent of the sales. As I go by almost every day coming from the train station, on most days there is a sign up for one group or another.

This is a win-win situation. Good food for a good cause!

Isabella's Menu - Page 1

Isabellas_1a, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Isabella's is one of the really good delis and pizza places in Franklin.

We got two full sheets of pizza for the Friday when the Sherlock's gathered at our place after Thanksgiving and did not end up with any leftovers.

Next School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, 11/27/07

Given the recent news about the shortfall discovered, Finance person suspended, investigation and audit underway; I don't think I will trust the cable network to deliver the next meeting to my door.

I plan on being there in person to hear more about what happened.

We are not the only Franklin!

Exploring the web, I found another Franklin Matters which covers Franklin, Tennessee.

One post on this blog shows a listing of 27 other Franklins in these United States. We are the second largest according to population:

• Franklin, AL - Population 149, (Macon Co.)
  
• Franklin, AR - Population 184, (Izard Co.)
• Franklin, GA - Population 902, (Heard Co.)
• Franklin, ID - Population 641, (Franklin Co.)
• Franklin, IL - Population 586 (Morgan Co.)
• Franklin, IN - Population 19,463 (Johnson Co.)
• Franklin, KS - Population 26,513 for the county (Franklin Co.)
• Franklin, KY - Population 7,996 (Simpson Co.)
• Franklin, LA - Population 8,354 (Parish Seat of St. Mary Parish)
• Franklin, MA - Population 29,560 (Norfolk Co.)
• Franklin, ME - Population 1,370 (Hancock Co.)
• Franklin, MI - Population 2,937 (Oakland Co.)
• Franklin, MN - Population 498 (Renville Co.)
• Franklin, MO - Population 112 (Howard Co.)
• Franklin, NC - Population 3,490 (Macon Co.)
• Franklin, NE - Population 1,026 (Franklin, Co.)
• Franklin, NH - Population 8,405 (Merrimack Co.)
• Franklin, NJ - Population 5,160 (Sussex Co.)
• Franklin, NY - Population 2,621 (Delaware Co.)
• Franklin, OH - Population 11,396 (Warren Co.)
• Franklin, PA - Population 7,212 (Venango Co.)
• Franklin, TN - Population 55,870 (Williamson Co.)
• Franklin, TX - Population 1,470 (Robertson Co.)
• Franklin, VA - Population 8,346 (Southampton Co.)
• Franklin, VT - Population 1,268 (Franklin, Co.)
• Franklin, WI - Population 29,494 (Milwaukee Co.)
• Franklin, WV - Population 797 (Pendleton Co.,)

Give the other Franklin Matters a visit.

Franklin, WI had come upon the radar during our override election earlier this year. Franklin, WI had a similar override and it failed.

Norfolk NOGO struggling

In brief, two of the key members of the Norfolk Organization for Government Oversight (NOGO) are now sitting on the Advisory Board helping to review financial decisions before the town. NOGO was originally organized as the Norfolk Opposition Group to Overrides and reformed after the override passed.

The Boston Globe Override Central web site has this story in more detail here.

I like the acronym they came up with (NOGO) :-)

Where in Franklin? Answer #19

Where in Franklin? Answer #19, originally uploaded by shersteve.

I guess you could not figure out where to go to "Relax, Renew, Revive". Original photo can be found here.

I was surprised myself when I stopped and realized what the sign actually read. I go in this doorway almost weekly for our family food shopping. I like doing the food shopping but I don't go there to "relax, renew, revive". Do you?

Say tuned for the next challenge!

Holiday Lighting 4:00 - 6:00 PM Sunday 11/25/07

The annual Holiday Lighting on the Common will take place this afternoon at 4 p.m. on the Franklin Town Common.

Presented by the Committee for Concerts on the Common, the festivities will include lighting up the Town Common holiday lights and displays, refreshments and goodies, and a visit from Santa and the elves. A special attraction this year will be having a free picture taken with Santa, ready to be taken home.

In case of inclement weather, the festivities will take place across the street in the Ben Franklin Charter School.

Donations to help defray the cost of decorating may be sent to Concerts on the Common, P.O. Box 92, Franklin, MA 02038 or call 508-528-2206 for more information.

From the Milford Daily News