In the News - talking about the override

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 02, 2008 @ 11:54 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Just as they did last year, town and school leaders are inviting the public to host neighborhood forums at their homes to answer questions about the $2.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 tax override, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said Friday.

The vote will be June 10.

The funds would go directly to schools to prevent about 15 layoffs in elementary schools, 12.5 teaching positions at middle schools, 17 teacher jobs at Franklin High School, elimination of the late bus, and an increase of $100 (to $325) for pay-to-ride busing.

"We will go any time, any place, to answer any questions," Roy said. "That means bringing members of the School Committee, Finance Committee, Town Council, as well as the Town Administrator (Jeffrey D. Nutting) and school superintendent (Wayne Ogden) out to people's homes - we show up as a group." Last year, town leaders spoke to audiences of about 10 to 30 people at neighborhood forums, Roy said.

Having face-to-face conversations with people was "extremely effective" last year, he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In the News - voter comments

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 02, 2008 @ 12:21 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

Not every parent wants another tax increase this year to protect schools from massive layoffs, and some childless homeowners say they will vote for the $2.8 Proposition 2 1/2 tax override question that will go before voters June 10.

Residents interviewed at random yesterday had mixed feelings about the override Town Council recently voted to put on a ballot.

"I say, for the schools, for the kids, I would be for it. I don't have kids, but I've been in town my whole life," resident Mike Ficco said yesterday.

"I've watched the town succeed since I was a little kid. Franklin is going in the right direction," said Ficco, adding that he is willing to pay more in taxes to ensure it doesn't go in the wrong direction, as he has noticed in other towns.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In the News - $2.8 Million is override total on 6/10/08

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 01, 2008 @ 12:56 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

Town Council voted 7-1 last night to place a $2.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 tax override question on a June 10 ballot.

All of the money would be directed toward schools, which officials reported will have about 45 layoffs (mostly teachers), program cuts, increased class sizes, elimination of the late bus, and a $100 fee increase for pay-to-ride busing without a tax override.

The override would not enable the School Department to add staff, but merely maintain teachers in a growing district, Superintendent Wayne Ogden has said. Schools need more money every year because of mandatory expenses such as contract obligations (salaries), stipends, health insurance, special education and utilities, Ogden has said.

The override would cost the average homeowner $243 a year, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting's estimate.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Final Councilor comments (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Feeley, Nutting, et al

Time: 4 minutes, 24 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Pfeffer (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 45 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Doak (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

TIme: 2 minutes, 10 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Zollo (Audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 2 minutes, 33 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Vallee (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 54 seconds




MP3 File

Councilor Whalen (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 1 minute, 56 seconds




MP3 File

Other Action Items (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, acceptence of $5,000 from the Friends of Franklin Public Library, discussion and vote on veterans benefits, discussion and move to second reading the utility rate change

Time: 6 minutes, 42 seconds



MP3 File

Override Date 6/10/08 (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting on 4/30/08, the discussion on the override date (6/10/08), Tuesday vs. Saturday, and absentee ballot information.

Councilors Whalen and Mason questioned Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri on Tuesday/Saturday

Time: 5 minutes, 11 seconds



MP3 File

Town Council Mtg Summary 4/30/08

The listing here is in the reverse chronological order of how the segments occured during the course of the meeting.

Final Councilor comments (audio)

Councilor Pfeffer (audio)

Councilor Doak (audio)

Councilor Zollo (Audio)

Councilor Vallee (audio)

Councilor Whalen (audio)

Other Action Items (audio)

Override Date 6/10/08 (audio)

Override Amount (audio)

Citizen Comments - Chandler Creedon (audio)

June 10th - $2.8 Million - Yes/No for Franklin's s...

Live at the Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Town Council Agenda for April 30th 6:00 PM

Override Amount (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, the council spent all of one minute reading and voting on the override amount with NO discussion.

Override passed with a 7-1 vote. Pfeffer voted no, McGann was absent.

Time: 1 minute, 7 seconds




MP3 File

Citizen Comments - Chandler Creedon (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, Chandler Creedon, President of the Franklin Education Association (fondly referred to as the teacher's union) speaks to clarify some misinformation.

Time: 1 minute, 31 seconds



MP3 File

June 10th - $2.8 Million - Yes/No for Franklin's schools

The choice is now in the hands of the voters.

Make it an informed vote:

• Visit here often for informational updates
• Read the news papers
• Talk with your neighbors

If you are not registered to vote, visit the Town Clerk's office and register.

If you will be out of town on the 10th, apply for an absentee ballot.

There is no reason why you should not vote.

How you vote is up to you!

Live at the Town Council meeting 4/30/08

6:00 PM and a few folks are not here yet
------------

Started at 6:05
Proclamation for municipal clerk's week

-------------

Chandler Creedon, statement repeated from School Committee Citizen Comment
(recording to be posted when time permits)
clarification on teacher health insurance information that had been printed and circulated erroneously

-------------

Updated 6:11

override question -> $2.8M
no discussion, 7-1 passed

override date - 6/10/08, Tuesday
discussion on choice of Tuesday vs. Saturday

only once in last 24 years have there been an election on a Saturday
per Debbie Pellegri

absentee ballot process
available by request, can vote at the office once the ballots
or via mail

registration required 20 days prior to the 10th

approved unanimously
--------------

Approved donation from Friends of Franklin Library
unanimous

---------------

updated 6:20

discussion on veterans benefits
town obligated to pay, reimbursed by state at 75% in following year
money being switched from town health insurance due to health coverage changes

unanimously approved

---------------

updated 6:25

moving amendment to second reading
passed unanimously

--------------

4 corners building status on next week's council agenda for discussion

---------------

Councilor Comments

Whalen encourage to spread word, need to get the vote out

Vallee claims the Town Council has not sponsored the override

Zollo put the vote to the people, respect the vote of the people
regardless of the outcome, the voter turnout should be 80-90%
before voting, be informed, ask the right questions

Doak now it is up to the residents, everybody gets one vote
it is no secret that costs are rising faster than revenues
it is no one's fault, it is not that no one did their job
it costs more to provide quality services
why is the amount so high? we have been tapping the stabilization fund
we can no longer do that

Pfeffer does not support the override, but will not work against it

Nutting will refresh to elected officials the guidelines around their conduct during the election

--------------

motion to adjourn at 6:35

In the News - School Committee override options

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff
GHS
Posted Apr 30, 2008 @ 12:29 AM
FRANKLIN —

The School Committee last night agreed to present the town with two override scenarios - one for $3.1 million, the other for $2.8 million plus Medicaid reimbursement money. Both would enable the board to keep teachers, staff and programs intact next year, Superintendent Wayne Ogden said.

The School Committee's budget subcommittee had planned to seek a $3.3
million override question to be placed on a June ballot, but Paul Funk, the
interim finance director for schools, announced last night the district has
$180,000 more in its budget than he previously calculated.

The money was undetected because of a Microsoft Excel error in which the software did not subtract athletic revenues, Funk said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Live from the school committee meeting 4/29/08

meeting resumes from a brief break with a discussion on the override amount

options from budget subcommittee
1 - $3.1 M
2 - $2.8 M if the town restores the Medicaid funding

discussion on Medicaid data capture

discussion on Arlington plan, the 3-5 year plan upon which an override would be based and then not to come back during that period

decision to go forward with the larger level service amount

--------------------

1. I recommend FY2008 Budget Transfers as detailed. (approved in meeting earlier)
2. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($5286.00 and $200.00) for field trips for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1500.00 from the Oak Street PCC for the Oak Street Gift account for 2 field trips.
4. I recommend acceptance of the donations totaling $5,030.00 for the Friends and Family of Katie Streeter Best Buddies Scholarship to be awarded to a FHS senior who has participated in the Best Buddies Program.
5. I recommend approval of the Annie Sullivan Middle School’s 8th Grade Washington, DC Trip planned for May 23 – 25, 2008.
6. I recommend approval of the Remington Middle School 8th Grade math trip to Providence Place Mall on May 2, 2008.

action items were approved unanimously. The Remington vote had one abstention.

--------------------
Wayne talking talking about some discussion in town about closing the Davis Thayer school. The space subcommittee is still working. The 19 portables will require replacement shortly. Closing that building would be a mistake. The 19 portable classrooms have more capacity than the Davis Thayer building. Putting 300 Davis Thayer students and putting them elsewhere would be a major mess to re-district. Can not do so right now.

--------------------

subcommittee reports
(see recordings)

--------------------

July 8th
August 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

------------------
motion to adjourn at 10:35 PM