Going back to the elected officials item
raise was an average 2.1%
elected officials got 2%
Mason, "amounts to a token increase"
motion made to increase salary treasurer/collector , passed 7-2
motion mode to increase town clerk, passed 7-2
motion made on downtown planner, 5 yes 3 no 1 abstain
motion on adoption of town budget for FY 09
motion passed unanimously
Doak "budget time trying to choose between least bad options"
need to think seriously about what kind of town we want to live in
Pfeffer explains why she was driving in the parade
Bartlett outlook on budget has changed, impressed with effort on part of all in the town
"I can find no waste and believe me I have looked"
"need to tackle much harder redundancies due to state and local requirements"
motion to adjourn
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Town Council - Public Hearing on FY 09 Budget
These are notes taken during the meeting and published live... they will be updated as the evening progresses.
Clerk reading budget line items, anyone can put an item on hold for further discussion
Doak arrives at 6:06; Whalen and Zollo still not here
Instructions on motion or release of hold for the items that were held
Mason hold on Treasurer/Collectors Salary
opened a can of worms here, Jeff and Susan aren't in agreement on the timing of the 2 vs. 2.5 percent increase
Bartlett, willing to reconsider but would like the confusion resolved before she makes up her mind
Doak supports the 2.5 percent that was previously voted
- Zollo arrives -
Feeley explains that the elected officials are not entitled to merit or step increases
Doak clarifies his position to review the elected officials on an annual basis
moving on while the item is clarified
Bartlett motion to reduce planning and growth management salaries
effectively removing the downtown manager position
- Whalen arrives to complete council attendance -
McGann speaking against motion
Nutting clarifying that the position is going to be needed and used as the downtown planning progresses in response to Zollo question; can be reviewed next year
Zollo speaking for the position, does need to have the position justified but shouldn't be terminated prematurely
Doak concerned about the overall Planning Dept increase of 13%
Doak challenges McGann's reckless comment to save us all some time by identifying the "waste in this budget"
motion failed 4-4 with one abstention
new motion
second failed same vote
determined to come back to this item
Vallee speaking for the addition of 2 police officers
"not providing adequate safety for our citizens"
making motion to add 2 positions with commensurate salaries
Jeff makes technical amendment to make the salaries and expenses align properly
Vallee approves of the amendment
money to come from the stabilization fund
Doak agrees with the justification but not with the money coming from the stabilization fund
Whalen agrees also with Vallee's sentiment on safety
Whalen also takes on McGann's comment on "waste in the budget"
"as a community we have to come with a plan"
Nutting saying with 40 plus teachers going out the door, adding two here is not good
"tough thing to do at this point"
"3 years in a row the department waived raises"
McGann will back Vallee on this
Bartlett "can't support hiring unless we are falling apart at the seams"
Zollo "this conversation underscores the seriousness that the citizens need to understand"
"We are the least taxed, understaffed in every department, too late to repair after breaking at the seams"
"What type of community do I want to live in?"
"Commends chair for coming up with group to study and develop the multi-year plan"
Jim Roche, put forth increase to override to cover the increase for Fire and Police
should rename the stabilization fund as the "emergency repair and replacement fund"
Pfeffer thought she found a million dollars by using the revenue from the 4 Corners building but that would only free about 100,000 dollars of operating revenue
motion to add the police failed at 7-2 vote
Dept 300 - Town Schools
the budget item seems to include the transfer of the support staff yet there is no MOA, there is no hearing by the Town Council, there is no number crunching as requested by Councilor Zollo
the budget does not include the $5.4M for the facilities consolidation
Doak, without memorandum in place are we exposed if we proceed down the way
Nutting what has to happen, town has two actions, school committee has to approve
Nutting "have to meet the net school spending"
should make it now or next year, not practical to do in October
Whalen concerned
Vallee wants an answer
Pfeffer doesn't understand either
Rohrbach disagrees with the budget subcommittee statement that Feeley made about the budget dollars
Roy stating the case for the School Committee/Department maintaining
This proposal will not save the town money, this proposal will cost money
It is a good idea to explore, let the planning committee explore those opportunities
Why can't we wait until the memo is done?
Armenio budget subcommittee member, present at the meeting
MOU would be put together and then the budget would be discussed
Cafasso was put on hold previously to not confuse the override last year
under the state law, the school principals have authority over whoever works in the school
a transfer could take place mid-year
Feeley motion to accept town administrator's version of the budget (giving the town the building management)
Nutting restating the prior arguments
Nutting won't give an answer to Zollo's question
Vallee consolidate to save money
Is that item overspent or underspent? It makes him suspicious.
motion approved unanimously
Clerk reading budget line items, anyone can put an item on hold for further discussion
Doak arrives at 6:06; Whalen and Zollo still not here
Instructions on motion or release of hold for the items that were held
Mason hold on Treasurer/Collectors Salary
opened a can of worms here, Jeff and Susan aren't in agreement on the timing of the 2 vs. 2.5 percent increase
Bartlett, willing to reconsider but would like the confusion resolved before she makes up her mind
Doak supports the 2.5 percent that was previously voted
- Zollo arrives -
Feeley explains that the elected officials are not entitled to merit or step increases
Doak clarifies his position to review the elected officials on an annual basis
moving on while the item is clarified
Bartlett motion to reduce planning and growth management salaries
effectively removing the downtown manager position
- Whalen arrives to complete council attendance -
McGann speaking against motion
Nutting clarifying that the position is going to be needed and used as the downtown planning progresses in response to Zollo question; can be reviewed next year
Zollo speaking for the position, does need to have the position justified but shouldn't be terminated prematurely
Doak concerned about the overall Planning Dept increase of 13%
Doak challenges McGann's reckless comment to save us all some time by identifying the "waste in this budget"
motion failed 4-4 with one abstention
new motion
second failed same vote
determined to come back to this item
Vallee speaking for the addition of 2 police officers
"not providing adequate safety for our citizens"
making motion to add 2 positions with commensurate salaries
Jeff makes technical amendment to make the salaries and expenses align properly
Vallee approves of the amendment
money to come from the stabilization fund
Doak agrees with the justification but not with the money coming from the stabilization fund
Whalen agrees also with Vallee's sentiment on safety
Whalen also takes on McGann's comment on "waste in the budget"
"as a community we have to come with a plan"
Nutting saying with 40 plus teachers going out the door, adding two here is not good
"tough thing to do at this point"
"3 years in a row the department waived raises"
McGann will back Vallee on this
Bartlett "can't support hiring unless we are falling apart at the seams"
Zollo "this conversation underscores the seriousness that the citizens need to understand"
"We are the least taxed, understaffed in every department, too late to repair after breaking at the seams"
"What type of community do I want to live in?"
"Commends chair for coming up with group to study and develop the multi-year plan"
Jim Roche, put forth increase to override to cover the increase for Fire and Police
should rename the stabilization fund as the "emergency repair and replacement fund"
Pfeffer thought she found a million dollars by using the revenue from the 4 Corners building but that would only free about 100,000 dollars of operating revenue
motion to add the police failed at 7-2 vote
Dept 300 - Town Schools
the budget item seems to include the transfer of the support staff yet there is no MOA, there is no hearing by the Town Council, there is no number crunching as requested by Councilor Zollo
the budget does not include the $5.4M for the facilities consolidation
Doak, without memorandum in place are we exposed if we proceed down the way
Nutting what has to happen, town has two actions, school committee has to approve
Nutting "have to meet the net school spending"
should make it now or next year, not practical to do in October
Whalen concerned
Vallee wants an answer
Pfeffer doesn't understand either
Rohrbach disagrees with the budget subcommittee statement that Feeley made about the budget dollars
Roy stating the case for the School Committee/Department maintaining
This proposal will not save the town money, this proposal will cost money
It is a good idea to explore, let the planning committee explore those opportunities
Why can't we wait until the memo is done?
Armenio budget subcommittee member, present at the meeting
MOU would be put together and then the budget would be discussed
Cafasso was put on hold previously to not confuse the override last year
under the state law, the school principals have authority over whoever works in the school
a transfer could take place mid-year
Feeley motion to accept town administrator's version of the budget (giving the town the building management)
Nutting restating the prior arguments
Nutting won't give an answer to Zollo's question
Vallee consolidate to save money
Is that item overspent or underspent? It makes him suspicious.
motion approved unanimously
TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING - 6:00 PM
FY 09 TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET HEARINGS
TUESDAY MAY 27, 2008
6:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
the first time in five years Franklin is not using its reserves for operating expenses
GHS
FRANKLIN —
The Town Council is due to vote tonight on the town's $88.02 million operating budget, following its second public hearing at 6 p.m.
With water, sewer and solid waste spending included, the town's fiscal 2009 budget totals $99.5 million.
The council will also consider a request Councilor Robert Vallee last Wednesday said he would make to add two officers to Police Chief Stephen T. Williams' 46-member force.
Williams had asked for the additional officers in his initial budget request, but was denied.
Policing in town continues to increase each year, while the department is understaffed, Williams said.
Each new officer could cost the town $60,000 to $80,000, Williams estimated.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Go to the Council Chambers tonight to participate or tune in via cable to see the Town Council and School Committee meeting back to back tonight. Town Council at 6:00 PM. School Committee was scheduled for 7:00 PM (before the Town Council adjust their schedule to finish up tonight).
Monday, May 26, 2008
Letter from Ed Cafasso
Good evening everyone!
I hope you and your families had a pleasant Memorial Day weekend. We certainly could not have asked for a better stretch of weather…
I wanted to pass along a couple of important scheduling notes as we all head back into our work and home routines, and the kids enter the homestretch of the 07-08 academic year.
On Tuesday (the 27th) at 6 p.m., the Town Council is schedule to finalize Franklin’s budget for fiscal 2009, which begins July 1. The school budget will be among those voted upon by the Council. Immediately following that session, the School Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday’s School Committee meeting will be an important one because it will be the first time we will be in position to analyze in more detail how the recent move to lay-off school personnel will impact academic classes, class sizes in key grades, and extracurricular offerings in the fall.
Now that the lay-offs have gone forward, in combination with retirements and terminations, Supt. Ogden and his staff will be able to present a clearer picture of the potential impact on student services. I urge you to tune in to the discussion Tuesday night if possible.
On Wednesday night, members of the Town Council, the School Committee and the Finance Committee will gather at 7 p.m. at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School for a town-wide forum to answer citizen questions about the override votes scheduled for June 10.
I hope you will take the opportunity to attend Wednesday evening’s forum to learn more about the town’s fiscal condition and to speak your mind on budget matters, the town’s financial management and the value of the school services to the quality of life and property values here.
For additional information, you can view the Town budget page at: http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/town/admin/budget2/default.htm
You can view the proposed FY09 school budget at:
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/super1/FY06Budget/default.htm
In addition, an override page is available that offers a central repository for a great deal of school and financial information. You can view it at:
http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
A small group of parents has begun to organize a citizen’s group in support of the override. If you are interested in meeting with them, please let me know and I will connect you.
Thank you for your time and attention, and your continued support. Please stay tuned for additional budget information in the weeks ahead.
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
I hope you and your families had a pleasant Memorial Day weekend. We certainly could not have asked for a better stretch of weather…
I wanted to pass along a couple of important scheduling notes as we all head back into our work and home routines, and the kids enter the homestretch of the 07-08 academic year.
On Tuesday (the 27th) at 6 p.m., the Town Council is schedule to finalize Franklin’s budget for fiscal 2009, which begins July 1. The school budget will be among those voted upon by the Council. Immediately following that session, the School Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday’s School Committee meeting will be an important one because it will be the first time we will be in position to analyze in more detail how the recent move to lay-off school personnel will impact academic classes, class sizes in key grades, and extracurricular offerings in the fall.
Now that the lay-offs have gone forward, in combination with retirements and terminations, Supt. Ogden and his staff will be able to present a clearer picture of the potential impact on student services. I urge you to tune in to the discussion Tuesday night if possible.
On Wednesday night, members of the Town Council, the School Committee and the Finance Committee will gather at 7 p.m. at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School for a town-wide forum to answer citizen questions about the override votes scheduled for June 10.
I hope you will take the opportunity to attend Wednesday evening’s forum to learn more about the town’s fiscal condition and to speak your mind on budget matters, the town’s financial management and the value of the school services to the quality of life and property values here.
For additional information, you can view the Town budget page at: http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/town/admin/budget2/default.htm
You can view the proposed FY09 school budget at:
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/super1/FY06Budget/default.htm
In addition, an override page is available that offers a central repository for a great deal of school and financial information. You can view it at:
http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
A small group of parents has begun to organize a citizen’s group in support of the override. If you are interested in meeting with them, please let me know and I will connect you.
Thank you for your time and attention, and your continued support. Please stay tuned for additional budget information in the weeks ahead.
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
In case you missed the parade
Here are some musical highlights from each of the Franklin Public Schools as the marched by this morning.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Franklin Fire Dept. new Tower Truck
The new $860,000 Tower 1 truck is at home in the new fire station in downtown Franklin, MA.
The truck will be paid for over five years, the first payment this year at $160,000, followed by four yearly payments of $175,000 each.
With a little luck it will be used for training and parades. If it does get called out to be used in a fire, the safety features it contains will hopefully enable a safe operation and rescue, if necessary.
------------------
From the Town Council meeting authorizing payment (audio and text)
From the Finance Committee meeting authorizing payment (audio)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)