I am a Web Designer. Actually, I am more on the interface coding side of web design. I like to bike and ski, though I haven't skied in quite a while. I am also a gadget freak and I try to incorporate technology into everything I do.If you are interested in bike riding, this is one site to check out regularly.
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 *
Friday, April 18, 2008
Franklin Blogger: Martinator's Bicycling Blog
Thursday, April 17, 2008
In the News - let voters decide, luxury tax
Taxpayers will have an opportunity to vote for a tax override early this summer, the majority of the Town Council decided last night.
Every seat in the Town Council chambers was filled, and about 20 more people stood at the back of the room at last night's meeting, all in favor of an override.
No one but Councilor Judith Pond Pfeffer spoke against the permanent tax hike, which would be used to prevent about 45 layoffs in schools, program cuts, and possibly boost other town departments' budgets.
School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy, as well as a handful of residents, including Finance Committee members, Town Council Chairman Christopher Feeley, Vice Chairwoman Deborah A. Bartlett, and members Stephen Whalen, Shannon Zollo, Joseph McGann and Thomas S. Doak all spoke in favor of putting an override question on the ballot.
Councilor Robert Vallee, who had gone on record as being opposed to an override, passed at the chance to voice his opinion last night.
Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche, who spoke as a taxpayer and father, urged the council to let the town vote.
"This is more than just a school problem - it's a townwide problem," said Roche.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
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My first thought was to drop a dime to Susan Wornick.
I know my rights. I know the law. Clearly, the sporting goods store was no authority on clothing tax.
But after a teenaged manager took the $1 off my bill, I calmed down enough to see involving Channel 5's consumer guru wasn't the way to go.
Instead, we need to make the state tax code even more confusing.
Conventional wisdom on Beacon Hill has been to balance the budget on the backs of the monkeys on Massachusetts residents' backs.
Got a vice? We'll tax it. Then we'll tax it some more. And when that isn't enough, we'll just push Lottery tickets a little harder.
Look, we don't want you to gamble if you're an addict. No, seriously. See, we put all sorts of disclaimers on Keno broadcasts and around convenience stores that sell scratch tickets. Here's the number for Gamblers Anonymous. Call if you think you have a problem. Just wait until after you buy another Megabucks ticket before you call, OK?
Casinos may be off the table for the moment, at least casinos of the state-run variety, but an extra tax on smokers is all but a done deal.
Dirty, rotten smokers. Make them pay for miscalculations in what it takes to run a state.
There was some talk about upping taxes on wine, but so far that hasn't gotten much traction. It'll likely be revisited when the number of people who buy cigarettes in Massachusetts dwindles to financially unacceptable levels.
Meanwhile, there's a sensible solution no one's talking about.
Read the remainder of the article to see the sensible solution in the Milford Daily News
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Attention Franklin: Override ballot question coming
The vote should occur in June, I heard him say June 15th, that is a Sunday so it is likely he meant either June 14th to go with a Saturday vote, or June 17th to stay with a traditional Tuesday vote.
Either way, the voters of Franklin will have an override to decide to maintain their Top 10 rankings or not.
Our choice. Listen. Learn. Be prepared to cast an informed vote!
Councilor Comments: Shannon Zollo (audio)
Time: 11 minutes, 42 seconds
MP3 File
Editorial Comment: Remember this one, come back here to listen to this often. I have not heard as complete and compelling an argument put forth as convincingly as this was. Thank you Shannon!
Town Council Mtg Summary 4/16/08
Councilor Comments: Shannon Zollo (audio)
--- 2 minutes break ---
6 - Citizen's Comment: Andy Donaldson (audio)
5 - Citizen's Comment: Kaitlyn Cronin (audio)
4 - Citizen's Comment: Jim Roche (audio)
3 - Citizens Comment: William Hawes (audio)
2 - Citizen's Comment: John Niece (audio)
1 - Citizen's Comment: Jeff Roy (audio)
Town Council Agenda 4/16/08
additional segments of the meeting will be posted as I have time to process them.
Citizen Comments: Andy Donaldson (audio)
Time: 1 minute, 5 seconds
MP3 File
Citizen Comments: Jim Roche (audio)
Time: 1 minute, 45 seconds
MP3 File
Citizen Comments: John Niece (audio)
Time: 59 seconds
MP3 File
Citizen Comments: Jeff Roy (audio)
Time: 5 minutes, 25 seconds
MP3 File
The text of the full statement can be found at the School Committee blog here.
Town Council Agenda 4/16/08
Proposed FY 09 budget (PDF)
Proposed budget information page
FINCOM Meeting Summary 4/14/08
FINCOM: Mike D'Angelo's statement (audio)
FINCOM: School Budget vote (audio)
FINCOM: Ken Norman (audio)
Additional segments from the meeting will be posted as I have time to prepare them
FINCOM: Ken Norman
Time: 2 minutes, 24 seconds
MP3 File
In the News - override, Council meeting
Tonight, Councilor Joseph McGann and School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy will both urge the Town Council to put an override question before voters this year to prevent layoffs and cuts in schools and town departments.
"I would like to see the people express their voice on it," said McGann, adding, "I don't think it's going to fly."
Still, McGann wants the council to put feelers out in the community to get a sense of whether people want to pay more to keep the 45 teachers and school staff expected to be laid off in the budget proposed by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, which the Finance Committee voted to support Monday night.
Individual members of the Finance Committee supported a tax increase. Chairman Jim Roche and Pat Goldsmith both made motions to recommend the Town Council place a $1.5 million override question on the ballot. The board as a whole, however, did not take action because they had no time to prepare an adequate plan, they said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
FINCOM: Mike D'Angelo's statement
Time: 8 minutes, 20 seconds
MP3 File
My notes made during Mike's statement:
One facilities dept already, the school manages the town facilities
Four people on facilities, all happen to be school employees
Part time custodians and trade staff are town
1M vs. town 200,000 sq ft
School required to for certifications, schools are in a lot of business
Tim (Raposa) runs town technology
School runs the food services
Town gets a lot of benefit from the schools
School grounds staff does a good job
Took town employee to a seminar for the first time
Schools are a different entity, 38 folks work hard today
Reduced staff from last year, work around children every day
They want to be involved in schools, cleaned areas that are larger due to cuts
Folks are working harder
Reality is school is doing a lot for the town
Really is the tail wagging the dog
Jeff Nutting knows my opinion
School guys there to do the floors
Debate on the 29th will be good
No MOA to let Mike do what he is doing
His recommendation is not to move, to keep it as is
All this was done out of good will for last five years
FINCOM: School Budget vote
Time: 3 minutes, 2 seconds
MP3 File
Ed Cafasso - Citizens Comment Appeal
The schools are not on the meeting agenda, so “citizen comments” will be the only chance to be heard on this issue. Committee Chairman Jeff Roy will make a statement, and the vocal support of parents would be appreciated.
Ed Cafasso
Member Franklin School Committee