In the event of the override not passing, the cuts were not previously announced in specific for a couple of reasons (1) notification to the teachers needed to occur first (2) to avoid "scare tactic".
Will not know until evening of the 10th what will happen but the high school is preparing two schedules; one with the override passing and one if the override fails.
Listing provided of the specific positions (to be posted soon)
high school class size will run 28-30
middle school
elementary schools some classes can go as high as 28-30 in specific grades
Ogden - FHS accreditation will be looked on "unkindly" with 17 positions being removed from the school. You can't predict what they will do. However it is likely there will be some adverse action.
Gould - transition to high school is the most important thing to protect, a "sacred cow"
class size discussion, most classes are going to be exceeding the range, not just on the high end of the ranges (if the override fails)
Gould - Franklin has done well at protecting the school instructional side, there is nothing else to cut. The FHS supplies budget is less than it was in 2001 and this is with an increase in students since 2001.
Mullen - would cutting French V affect the college placement for the seniors?
Gould - possibly. Students have to go somewhere, the electives can go higher. "Under Ed Reform, you can not have study halls. You have time to learn measurements."
Cafasso - could you get some others to assist with some of the journalism or public speaking?
Gould - they would need to be certified according to the state
-----------
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
School Committee - budget to actual
Miriam Goodman
clarification of the $1.8M that appears to unencumbered is actually being planned to be used within the budget for items that are already required
line item currently in deficit was usually covered by the Medicaid revenue which the schools are not getting this year. the budget for FY 09 has been adjusted accordingly. If the schools do get the Medicaid funds, there will be further adjustments.
Roy - facilities budgets question from Town Council meeting earlier? Is there a "slush" fund there as claimed by one Town Councilor.
Miriam will look into the numbers in detail but they are running into deficits at first glance
------------
Finance Administrator goals
Miriam is comfortable with them
clarification of the $1.8M that appears to unencumbered is actually being planned to be used within the budget for items that are already required
line item currently in deficit was usually covered by the Medicaid revenue which the schools are not getting this year. the budget for FY 09 has been adjusted accordingly. If the schools do get the Medicaid funds, there will be further adjustments.
Roy - facilities budgets question from Town Council meeting earlier? Is there a "slush" fund there as claimed by one Town Councilor.
Miriam will look into the numbers in detail but they are running into deficits at first glance
------------
Finance Administrator goals
Miriam is comfortable with them
School Committee - FHS handbooks
Pam Gould, FHS Principal, discussing the high school handbook
memo to committee highlighting the changes, relatively small amount but a good time spent reviewing the whole handbook
tardiness - allowing some leeway for the vice principals to listen to the students explanation before making the decision
cell phones and iPods moved to a whole new section
drug and alcohol policy, there was not clarity around the policy
the MIAA had guidelines for the athletes but there was not something similar for the other students
1st offense - 5 day out of school suspension and a 45 day (term) social probation
looking to add an option of a contract with the principal with random drug and alcohol testing and counseling
sounds like a very reasonable proposal to address the real issue behind the problem
did use the contract in a previous position, had only one failure with one student who had significant problems
Armenio - pushing on the attendance policy
Gould - the rules need to be tightened in some cases, most of the students would not be in these scenarios, if there are exceptions, I can change the record
Armenio - troubled by DPH guidelines
Gould - agrees that there is room for improvement at the DPH
Roy - has a beef with the parent note not being accepted as an excused absence, partially due to the School Committee policy reference differences (JH vs. what is referenced as approved in 1999)
Gould - disagrees, she attempting to put the state rule in this handbook
Roy - concerned with the pattern
Gould - would it be amenable to provide a couple of "freebies" per quarter?
Roy - yes, it would be
Roy - chain of command policy should be in all handbooks
Gould - putting policy into the 7 Habits diary that is given to the 9th graders
---------------
memo to committee highlighting the changes, relatively small amount but a good time spent reviewing the whole handbook
tardiness - allowing some leeway for the vice principals to listen to the students explanation before making the decision
cell phones and iPods moved to a whole new section
drug and alcohol policy, there was not clarity around the policy
the MIAA had guidelines for the athletes but there was not something similar for the other students
1st offense - 5 day out of school suspension and a 45 day (term) social probation
looking to add an option of a contract with the principal with random drug and alcohol testing and counseling
sounds like a very reasonable proposal to address the real issue behind the problem
did use the contract in a previous position, had only one failure with one student who had significant problems
Armenio - pushing on the attendance policy
Gould - the rules need to be tightened in some cases, most of the students would not be in these scenarios, if there are exceptions, I can change the record
Armenio - troubled by DPH guidelines
Gould - agrees that there is room for improvement at the DPH
Roy - has a beef with the parent note not being accepted as an excused absence, partially due to the School Committee policy reference differences (JH vs. what is referenced as approved in 1999)
Gould - disagrees, she attempting to put the state rule in this handbook
Roy - concerned with the pattern
Gould - would it be amenable to provide a couple of "freebies" per quarter?
Roy - yes, it would be
Roy - chain of command policy should be in all handbooks
Gould - putting policy into the 7 Habits diary that is given to the 9th graders
---------------
School Committee - live reporting
called to order at 7:45 PM
reason for delayed start due to last week's Tuesday mishap with the scheduling
Matt Kelly absent
minutes approved for May 13th, one abstention
Seniors graduate this Friday, Juniors now rule the school with more room in the halls
Horace Mann Rube Goldberg competition
3 hours to build machine, came in 11 of 27 teams
certificates for each student who participated
bubble needed to float 5 seconds in the air
15 transfers required
first team from Horace Mann to participate
----------------
Oak Street stock market essay winner
funded through FEF grant
1st at Boston Globe, 7th in nation
- Austen Sholudko -
---------------
Michele Kingsland-Smith
presentation on District Literacy Initiative
goal - develop a philosophical and instructional vision for literacy
1 - What do we want students to know and be able to do?
core expectations were identified as
not a small task
3 - What is exemplary literacy instruction?
need to expand the team, focus on K-8 and work up
Team challenges
amongst them, differences in instructional philosophy around the district
Literacy vision developed
assessment planning on-going
- wonderful approach, how is this going to be done with an increase in class size under the scenario with a failed override? - my two cents
Cafasso - can we bring this down to the household level? where do the reading lists and required texts fit in?
Michele - bed & breakfast analogy, what are the essentials? it is easy to by a program but it is a one size fits all. "Hopefully parents will see greater enthusiasm, a greater variety of materials"
reason for delayed start due to last week's Tuesday mishap with the scheduling
Matt Kelly absent
minutes approved for May 13th, one abstention
Seniors graduate this Friday, Juniors now rule the school with more room in the halls
Horace Mann Rube Goldberg competition
3 hours to build machine, came in 11 of 27 teams
certificates for each student who participated
bubble needed to float 5 seconds in the air
15 transfers required
first team from Horace Mann to participate
----------------
Oak Street stock market essay winner
funded through FEF grant
1st at Boston Globe, 7th in nation
- Austen Sholudko -
---------------
Michele Kingsland-Smith
presentation on District Literacy Initiative
goal - develop a philosophical and instructional vision for literacy
1 - What do we want students to know and be able to do?
core expectations were identified as
- read widely
- read strategically
- think critically and creatively
- communicate effectively
not a small task
3 - What is exemplary literacy instruction?
need to expand the team, focus on K-8 and work up
Team challenges
amongst them, differences in instructional philosophy around the district
Literacy vision developed
assessment planning on-going
- wonderful approach, how is this going to be done with an increase in class size under the scenario with a failed override? - my two cents
Cafasso - can we bring this down to the household level? where do the reading lists and required texts fit in?
Michele - bed & breakfast analogy, what are the essentials? it is easy to by a program but it is a one size fits all. "Hopefully parents will see greater enthusiasm, a greater variety of materials"
Town Council - Budget hearing - after recess
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
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
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)
"The family atmosphere we have is because of them"
GHS
Thousands of Bay State residents will observe Memorial Day today with cookouts, parties, days at the beach or soaking up sun with family and friends.
While she doesn't begrudge anyone having a good time this holiday weekend, Jodi Cabino-Cipriano wants people to remember the cost every Memorial Day entails.
The Franklin resident will this year mark the third Memorial Day since her son, Shayne Cabino, was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. She said the holiday this week should serve as a reminder of the cost her family - and thousands more like it across the country - have paid.
"It'll never be the same," she said of the holiday. "I'll never have it again. We'll never, ever, ever be complete."
Cabino joined the Marine Corps after graduating from high school and was just 19 when he was sent to Iraq. He was killed along with three others when an improvised explosive device exploded outside Fallujah.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
"The energy this crystal has is very loving"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
It's not a bad life, being one of Sage Marianne's "babies."
Sage gently sings to the "newborn" crystals and says she infuses them with a divine healing energy.
A few of them even rest in their own purple velvet-lined basinets.
Since Sage's first "birth" in October 2000, she has opened her Glenn Meadow Road home to hundreds, possibly thousands of quartz crystals she unearthed during her bi-annual crystal mining trips to Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Recently, 63-year-old Sage "Crystal Singer" returned from Hot Springs where she unearthed a few new gems, a tradition that began when she decided to take a six-week absence from work to explore who she is, she said.
"I'm an adventurous woman. I always wanted to drive cross-country - it took me (more than a decade) to do it," Sage said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
"50 cents a day, just seems like such a bargain"
As Franklin's second Proposition 2 1/2 override vote in as many years approaches, town officials are seeking to inform residents about the possibility of teacher layoffs, among other proposed school-related cuts, if they turn down the requested property-tax increase.
A special election has been called for June 10 to ask voters to decide on the proposed $2.8 million override. If approved, the additional funds would allow the district to save approximately 43.5 teaching positions - 16 at Franklin High, 12.5 at the middle school, and 15 at the elementary school - that would otherwise be eliminated, according to school officials. The extra tax money would also forestall a $100 increase in the pay-to-ride bus fee, and spare late bus service for students who stay after school for clubs and other extracurricular activities, they said.
Read the full article here in the Boston Globe
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
Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th
"We are compelled to never forget"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
In a poignant "Missing Man" ceremony, Police Chief Stephen Williams urged a roomful of veterans, their loved ones and local dignitaries gathered at the Elks Lodge yesterday, not to forget missing and fallen soldiers.
Lined up in crisp uniforms and white gloves, the solemn-faced Franklin Police Honor Guard - Lt. Thomas J. Lynch, Sgt. Mark Manocchio, Officers Paul Fiorio, Paul Guarino, Jonathan Bussey and John Maloney - held symbolic items as Williams honored soldiers missing in action and prisoners of war.
Music played as the chief, who was a military police sergeant during the Vietnam War, spoke of the "sweetness" of honor and serving one's country that is tainted by the bitterness of loss.
"We are compelled to never forget," he said, explaining why he showed a documentary video about the painstaking work and precision involved in guarding Arlington National Cemetery where "unknown" fallen soldiers rest.
"We call them brothers ... they're unable to be with their families," but Arlington is a place of dignity and honor, he said, encouraging audience members to visit.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
Honoring 175 Years of Education at the Red Brick School
The Brick School is 175 Years Old!
Come One…Come All…Everyone is Invited!Please join us for a Fun Family Picnic
Honoring 175 Years of Education at the Red Brick School
Sunday, June 1st
1:00pm – 5:00pm
Franklin Town Common
1:00pm – 5:00pm
Franklin Town Common
Bring your chairs, blankets and pack a picnic lunch -- relax and enjoy a fun day!
Musical Performances include:
Jamie Barrett and friends singing the “Franklin Song” and other hits! 1:30 - 1:50
Remington Middle School Jazz Band 2:00 – 2:30pm
Franklin Middle Combined String Orchestra 2:45 – 3:15pm
FHS – Sound in the Hall artist Adriana Driggs, Tom Lazinski, Bodacious Banana Extravaganza and more! 3:45 - 4:45
And more……
Okey Dokey DJ will be on hand the entire day providing music and fun Karaoke sessions between performances
Fun Free Activities for the Kids!
Gerwick Puppets performing at 2:00pm
Face Painting
Moonwalk
Capron Park Zoo Mobile
Refreshments:
To go with your picnic lunch, we will have water and soda available for $1.00
Save room for dessert!! There will be free cake for everyone!
This is event is sponsored by the Benjamin Franklin Bank Charitable Foundation
For more information email: Brick School Association
We hope you can make it!!
From the Town Crier posting here.
Friday, May 23, 2008
"the remainder can be directed toward any number of capital items"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Town Council voted 8-1 Wednesday to sell the former Four Corners School to Walgreens for $2.5 million.
Councilor Robert Vallee abstained from the vote.
The vote authorizes Town Administrator Jeffery D. Nutting and Town Attorney Mark G. Cerel to enter into a purchase and sales agreement with Arista Development LLC of Norwood, which is proposing the Walgreens Pharmacy.
Arista, which has developed several Walgreens across the northeast, including one in Bellingham, was the only bidder for the town-owned property at the intersection of King Street and Rte. 140, Nutting has said.
Though the council has agreed to the sale, Arista must still obtain various permits from the Planning Board, Council Chairman Christopher Feeley said Wednesday.
"In the past, I have fought against selling" town-owned property, said Councilor Scott Mason, adding that he voted for it in this instance to help improve the town's finances.
"I don't think it's fair to keep asking people to dip into their pockets," he said, cautioning that people should be clear about how the $2.5 million can be used.
"(Some) residents have a misguided sense of what we can and cannot do with the money. It cannot go into the operating budget, it can't be used to hire teachers or new DPW workers," Mason said.
Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here
"this gift will have increased tenfold"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
By sacrificing a Gatorade here, a candy bar there, Franklin High students collected enough dollars to give impoverished families a heifer, llama, pig, goat, or swarm of bees to improve their lives.
For the third year, the students spent four weeks raising money for Heifer International, an organization devoted to ending hunger and poverty by giving families a way to produce food and goods for themselves, rather than short-term relief. The students raised a record-breaking $8,400 in donations, said foreign language teacher Jackie Eckhardt, chairwoman of a teachers committee on global awareness.
As part of the global awareness program, which staff initiated to expose students to cultures around the world, the school has held interactive assemblies for students, Eckhardt said.
Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Budget Hearing Schedule - 2nd Hearing 5/27/08 at 6:00 PM
Town Council decided not to hold another hearing today and instead will hold a second public hearing and vote on the fiscal 2009 budget next Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.
So the next budget hearing is Tuesday 5/27/08 at 6:00 PM.
Why 6:00 PM?
The School Committee already has a regular meeting scheduled for 7:00 PM in the same location.
So be prepared for Tuesday to start at 6:00 PM.
From the town's perspective, it's a matter of not filling positions
GHS
FRANKLIN —
During the first of two public hearings on Franklin's fiscal 2009 budget, Councilor Robert Vallee announced he will recommend adding two new police officers to the force.
Neither Police Chief Stephen T. Williams nor Fire Chief Gary McCarraher could answer affirmatively when Vallee asked whether they felt comfortable protecting citizens with their department's budget.
"I can't tell you I feel comfortable. ... Things begin to fall apart" when the Fire Department has to respond to multiple, simultaneous calls, McCarraher said.
In his initial budget request, Williams sought two additional officers as police work in Franklin continues to increase, including handling children, the elderly, traffic and safety, he said.
"In past years, those areas had significant increases in caseload," said Williams.
The Police Department employees 46 sworn officers, including the chief and deputy chief - well below the norm for towns like Franklin, Williams said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Cicada Tracking
An interesting site appeared on my reading radar thanks to the folks at UniversalHub; Massachusetts Cicadas.
Living in Massachusetts, unfortunately, there aren't many species of Cicadas to study so this site will be focused on studying the cicadas of New England along taking part in field trips to other states and studying the cicadas there.
So far, I have managed to document several different species of Cicadas in Massachusetts. Those being Tibicen auletes, Tibicen lyricen, Tibicen canicularis, Tibicen chloromera and Okanagana rimosa. Massachusetts even has Periodical Cicadas from Brood XIV which is a 17 year variety.
Since 2004, Okanagana rimosa has proved to be an elusive little insect. Fortunately, in the summer of 2007 shortly after my return trip from the mid west to study Brood XIII periodical cicadas, I did in fact find a sustainable population of Okanagana rimosa in a town in central Massachusetts known as Montague. More information on this interesting periodic-like little insect can be found here.
Also Brood XIV periodical Cicadas, a species of Cicadas that emerge once every 17 years also makes an appearance in Massachusetts along Cape Cod, Barnstable Plymouth counties. These are not scheduled to appear here until 2008.
So if you would like to know more about cicadas in MA and New England, visit this site.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Last day to register to vote
Every vote counts.
Make sure you are registered.
If you are not going to be in town for the vote on June 10th, obtain an absentee ballot from the Town Clerk.
Ashland voted on their override yesterday and the margin was 49 votes.
Every vote counts.
Make sure your cast your vote on June 10th!
Make sure you are registered.
If you are not going to be in town for the vote on June 10th, obtain an absentee ballot from the Town Clerk.
Ashland voted on their override yesterday and the margin was 49 votes.
Every vote counts.
Make sure your cast your vote on June 10th!
Budget Hearing Postponed
GHS
FRANKLIN —
After meeting for 25 minutes last night, the Town Council unanimously voted to postpone the first of two public hearings on the fiscal 2009 budget because it could not be televised.
Council Chairman Christopher Feeley made the motion, saying, "I think it needs to be televised."
"We apologize to the public and are rectifying the situation by postponing the meeting," Feeley said.
The council continued the hearing to 7:05 tonight, and will likely continue the second hearing, originally planned for tonight, to Thursday.
So if you did try to find the meeting on cable last night and didn't, know you know why.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
Industry: Liko New Disposable Repositioning Sheet
New Disposable Repositioning Sheet for Hospitals and Nursing Homes
FRANKLIN, Mass., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Liko, a leading supplier of
patient lifting equipment, has announced the launch of a new disposable
repositioning sheet. Repositioning patients in bed is often cited as one of
the most potentially dangerous care tasks for caregivers and may account
for between 45% to 60% of bedside patient handling injuries.
The new sheet, designated the Solo RepoSheet(TM), is designed for those
patients and residents with specific needs such as isolation patients,
where specific needs exist to control infection and cross-contamination, or
where a method is needed consistent with current laundry control practices.
Outbreaks of MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) and C.diff
(Clostridium difficile) and new CMS regulations have greatly increased the
demand for products that can help control nosocomial or
institution-acquired infections.
The Solo RepoSheet is usually applied above the fitted sheet and below
the draw sheet, but can be used in place of the draw sheet. Because the
Solo RepoSheet rests under the patient ready to be used, the sheet is not
composed of ordinary disposable paper-like material, but a fabric made of
100% light weave breathable cotton. The soft fabric was especially selected
for the patient's comfort. The Solo RepoSheet is a single patient use sheet
which should be disposed of when it becomes soiled or when the patient no
longer needs it.
As part of a Safe Lifting Initiative in Healthcare, the Solo RepoSheet
is used in combination with a facility's existing overhead (ceiling) or
mobile floor lifts. In addition to eliminating rotational and compression
forces associated with moving patients up in bed, the Solo RepoSheet can
eliminate cumulative trauma associated with turning patients, holding them
in side-lying, and rotating a patient from supine to prone.
In order to facilitate these patient handling actions, each Solo
RepoSheet has five strap loops sewn securely to each side. One strap loop
is color coded to indicate the head end of the sheet. The strap joints are
sewn onto the sheet without pressure points for maximum comfort and skin
safety. While laundering does not impact the sheet's safety or physical
properties, the original label disintegrates upon washing and exposes a "DO
NOT USE" symbol to prohibit use with other patients.
For more information on the Solo RepoSheet(TM), write to Liko at 122
Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038, e-mail at info@liko.com, call them at
1-888-545-6671, or visit them at http://www.liko.com.
FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL - Agenda - 5/21/08
FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
May 21, 2008
7:00 PM
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM
q FY 2009 Budget – 2nd Public Hearing
q Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-616: Amendment to Chp. 185, Town Code: Adult Entertainment Establishments Districts- Public Hearing - CANCELLED
q Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-617: Amendment to Chp. 185, Town Code: Water Resource District – Public Hearing
q Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-618: Amendment to Chp. 185, Town Code: Biotechnology Uses – Public Hearing
q Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-619: Amendment to Chp. 185-5: Zoning Map - Biotechnology Use – Public Hearing
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - Piccadilly Pub – Transfer of License, Change of Manager, Pledge of Stock
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
q Resolution 08-35: Adoption of FY 2009 Annual Budget
q Resolution 08-36: Declaration of
q Resolution 08-37: Authorization for Disposition (
q Resolution 08-38: Appropriation: Forfeited Bond Funds –
q Bylaw Amendment 08-621: Amendment of Service Fees – Curbside Trash – 2nd
q Bylaw Amendment 08-624: Amendment to Sewer System Map – 1st
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
register to vote by May 21st
If you are of age, please register to vote. Visit the Town Clerks office at the Municipal Building. You would need to register to vote by May 21st.
If you are going to be out of town on June 10th, you can pick up an absentee ballot at the Town Clerks office.
If you can't visit the Town Clerks office in person, you will need to write a letter explaining why you are out of town on the 10th (attending school, etc.). An email is not sufficient, they need your signature for the records so an "old fashioned" either hand written or typed note will do the trick.
Spread the word to register to vote. Franklin Schools need the money from this override.
If you need details on the Town Budget or School budget, visit the Town web site http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/town/admin/budget2/default.htm
The School Committee blog http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
If you are going to be out of town on June 10th, you can pick up an absentee ballot at the Town Clerks office.
If you can't visit the Town Clerks office in person, you will need to write a letter explaining why you are out of town on the 10th (attending school, etc.). An email is not sufficient, they need your signature for the records so an "old fashioned" either hand written or typed note will do the trick.
Spread the word to register to vote. Franklin Schools need the money from this override.
If you need details on the Town Budget or School budget, visit the Town web site http://www.franklin.ma.us/
The School Committee blog http://franklinschoolcommi
Town Budget Hearings Tues/Weds 7:00 PM
According to the Franklin School Committee blog, there are two Town Budget Hearings scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21. Both scheduled for 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building.
Wednesday is also a scheduled Town Council meeting although there is no agenda posted and I have been able to find a confirmation of the Town Budget Hearings either.
Tune into the local cable or stop by the Municipal Building to attend this meetings in person.
I will be traveling on business and unable to report on them for you to read here.
Wednesday is also a scheduled Town Council meeting although there is no agenda posted and I have been able to find a confirmation of the Town Budget Hearings either.
Tune into the local cable or stop by the Municipal Building to attend this meetings in person.
I will be traveling on business and unable to report on them for you to read here.
Understanding the Special Education Budget
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7:00pm
Linda Waters, Director of Pupil Personal Services and Jeffrey Roy, chairman of the School Committee will lead a panel discussion on how Special Eduction receives funds in the Town of
ALL MEETINGS ARE HELD AT THE
Override Central adds Franklin
With a little reminder from someone you know, Override Central added Franklin to the listing for this year.
Operational Override History
This was originally published on the Franklin School Committee blog. I updated the table with last year's results and this year's opportunity.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sale proceeds cannot be used for operational purposes
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Town Council is slated to vote on the prospective $2.5 million sale of the former Four Corners School to Walgreens on Wednesday.
Arista Development, LLC, of Norwood, which is proposing the Walgreens Pharmacy, was the only bidder for the town-owned property at the intersection of King Street and Rte. 140, said Town Administrator Jeffery D. Nutting.
Arista has developed several Walgreens across the northeast, including Bellingham, said Arista Principal Scott A. Weymouth, noting he also helped develop the CVS on East Central Street.
The $2.5 million bid was a good offer, Nutting said.
The town paid $1.325 million for the Four Corners property about a decade ago, he said.
Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here.
Listen to the proposal made at the Town Council meeting here and read my notes from that meeting recorded during the meeting here.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Vote June 10th
Only one question on this ballot:
Question #1:
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $2,800,000.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the operating budget for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008?
Yes or No
Visit Franklin Matters for all the details to cast an informed vote
'Franklin received a ``huge amount'' of Chapter 70 aid compared to other towns"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
The House of Representatives has shot down a $25,000 earmark for the Red Brick School submitted by Rep. James Vallee, he said, but supporters of the school are still ``hoping and praying'' to find a way to keep it open, said Deborah Pellegri.
``We're just hoping and praying the school remains in existence, because it's going to be a shame (if it closes). This is history,'' said Pellegri, the town clerk and a member of the Brick School Task Force.
``The town of Franklin is known for the little Brick School and being home to the first public library, and (being the first town named after) Benjamin Franklin. It would be devastating for the Brick School to be closed - it would be an injustice to the town,'' said Pellegri, noting the Brick School was originally a wooden school building.
Vallee filed an amendment adding $25,000 to the House budget, he said, but members rejected it.
``I think it's a wonderful asset to our community, and I'd like to see it used as a school. I support it,'' Vallee said.
``I tried. I just think the Legislature was reticent to earmark a specific amount of money for a specific school,'' Vallee added.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
"we want to see this tradition continue"
The Milford Daily News gets to their write up of the conversation on the Fourth of July from the May 7th Town Council meeting.
You can read my notes here or listen to this segment of the meeting here.
You can read the full Milford Daily News article here.
You can read my notes here or listen to this segment of the meeting here.
You can read the full Milford Daily News article here.
On Teachers in Franklin
Jeff Roy wrote a good piece on the overall teacher count; how the school committee counts teachers vs. the Department of Education.
This is required reading to avoid speculation and hearsay.
Click through to read the posting here.
--------------------------
This is required reading to avoid speculation and hearsay.
Click through to read the posting here.
--------------------------
Visit the School Committee override page for the schedule of information sessions
You can find all the override related information here
Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th
Friday, May 16, 2008
In the News - Closing Davis Thayer not an Option
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Shutting down Davis Thayer Elementary School to save money is not going to happen any time soon, or possibly ever, says Superintendent Wayne Ogden, despite suggestions to that effect.
Closing the 16-classroom elementary school on West Central Street was one of a number of ideas raised in conversations between town and school leaders as a way to salvage some cash.
Davis Thayer, the town's oldest elementary school, aside from the one-classroom Red Brick School, was singled out because of its relatively high cost per pupil, said Ogden, compared to the district's other, newer elementary schools: John F. Kennedy, Helen Keller, Jefferson, Gerald M. Parmenter and Oak Street.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Thursday, May 15, 2008
School Committee Meeting 4/29/08
Audio segments from the meeting 4/29/08
(additional segments will be posted as time allows)
(additional segments will be posted as time allows)
- Annie Sullivan: BC Poetry Contest Winners (audio)
- Annie Sullivan: Latin Awards (audio)
- Annie Sullivan: CSI Presentation (audio)
- FHS Student Representatives (audio)
- Accepting minutes, approving bills (audio)
- Citizens Comment: Chandler Creedon (audio)
Annie Sullivan: BC Poetry Contest Winners (audio)
From the Franklin School Committee meeting on 4/29/08, Annie Sullivan Middle School recognizes two winners of the Boston College Poetry contest.
Time: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
MP3 File
Annie Sullivan: Latin Awards (audio)
From the Franklin School Committee meeting 4/29/08, the Annie Sullivan Middle School recognizes 14 students who passed a national Latin exam.
Time: 3 minutes, 38 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 3 minutes, 38 seconds
MP3 File
Annie Sullivan: CSI Presentation (audio)
From the Franklin School Committee meeting on 4/29/08, students from the Annie Sullivan Middle School deliver a presentation. They used scientific methods in a CSI type format to solve a "crime" in one of the classrooms.
There is a video presentation that accompanies this but the audio is still sufficient to hear the enthusiasum of the students and their project.
Time: 9 minutes, 38 seconds
MP3 File
There is a video presentation that accompanies this but the audio is still sufficient to hear the enthusiasum of the students and their project.
Time: 9 minutes, 38 seconds
MP3 File
FHS Student Representatives (audio)
From the Franklin School Committee meeting 4/29/08, the two student representatives from Franklin High School provide their update on what is happening.
Time: 2 minutes, 1 second
MP3 File
Time: 2 minutes, 1 second
MP3 File
Accepting minutes, approving bills (audio)
From the School Committee meeting 4/29/08, the acceptence of prior meeting minutes and approval of bills and payroll.
Time: 1 minute, 38 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 1 minute, 38 seconds
MP3 File
Citizens Comment: Chandler Creedon (audio)
From the School Committee meeting 4/29/08, Chandler Creedon, President of the Franklin teachers union corrects some mis-information
Time: 1 minute, 23 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 1 minute, 23 seconds
MP3 File
"we don't want to be the employer of last resort"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
A group of more than 30 residents exchanged insights on the $2.8 million override question with town and school officials last night at the Knights of Columbus in the first such intimate forum planned before the June 10 vote.
Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, School Superintendent Wayne Ogden, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy, Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche and Councilor Stephen Whalen spent more than two hours explaining the town's finances, why officials want an override, and answering the questions at a forum sponsored by Franklin Newcomers and Friends.
In his presentation of the school budget, Ogden responded to suggestions from some residents that administrators should be cut to save money.
Franklin spends less than half of the state average on administration, per pupil: $201 vs. $403 in 2007, according to information posted on the state Department of Education Web site.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
My summary of the same meeting can be found:
- Q & A - continued (live reporting)
- Q & A session (live reporting)
- Newcomer's Club - Override Information Forum
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Q & A - continued (live reporting)
Q - Are Marini's apartments or condominiums?
A - Condominiums. Condos are actually a good deal for the town, they are taxed upon their value. They generally have less children.
Comment from a resident who teaches in Wellesley. She would love to teach here but with the cuts so frequently, she would be one of the first out the door.
Q - Why is the override only affecting the schools?
A - Jeff answers that the 1.8 million in new revenue was split and the town managed to use their portion. The safety (fire and police) got their overtime cut.
Jim Roche
The safety departments were looking for additional folks but they did not get approved in the budget. The town will suffer but it won't be as visible.
Comment: You have a bad rap, you didn't ask for enough so you don't know what you're doing. I am not hearing the buzz that I heard last year. I am hearing a lot more negative this time.
Wayne Ogden
Q - How does the charter school funding work?
A - It is a state formula but the dollars per student that the district pays is what the charter is eligible to receive. So if our funding goes up, they will benefit. If ours go down, theirs will as well.
Q - What about out of town students?
A - We only use school choice to fill spots that would otherwise be empty. Therefore there is no additional cost for us but there is additional revenue.
Q - Can we talk about re-districting?
A - It is highly likely that this will happen sometime. The large majority of the new development coming is in the Keller-Sullivan district. You already tight for space there. As the new construction comes online, this will increase the pressure to re-district and balance the school population amongst the existing facilities. One other factor is the 17 modular units that would need to get replaced in the next several years. Would we replace them or add on to an existing elementary school. There is a space needs committee working on this issue.
Q - Is the Brick school open or closed?
A - It is still in currently but it has not been fully funded. There are open classrooms at Davis Thayer that could easily absorb the classroom.
Q - The Newcomer's group is looking to use space for the meetings but the town facilities are not generally open or under consideration.
A - Jeff Nutting says that this could be discussed.
A - Condominiums. Condos are actually a good deal for the town, they are taxed upon their value. They generally have less children.
Comment from a resident who teaches in Wellesley. She would love to teach here but with the cuts so frequently, she would be one of the first out the door.
Q - Why is the override only affecting the schools?
A - Jeff answers that the 1.8 million in new revenue was split and the town managed to use their portion. The safety (fire and police) got their overtime cut.
Jim Roche
The safety departments were looking for additional folks but they did not get approved in the budget. The town will suffer but it won't be as visible.
Comment: You have a bad rap, you didn't ask for enough so you don't know what you're doing. I am not hearing the buzz that I heard last year. I am hearing a lot more negative this time.
Wayne Ogden
Q - How does the charter school funding work?
A - It is a state formula but the dollars per student that the district pays is what the charter is eligible to receive. So if our funding goes up, they will benefit. If ours go down, theirs will as well.
Q - What about out of town students?
A - We only use school choice to fill spots that would otherwise be empty. Therefore there is no additional cost for us but there is additional revenue.
Q - Can we talk about re-districting?
A - It is highly likely that this will happen sometime. The large majority of the new development coming is in the Keller-Sullivan district. You already tight for space there. As the new construction comes online, this will increase the pressure to re-district and balance the school population amongst the existing facilities. One other factor is the 17 modular units that would need to get replaced in the next several years. Would we replace them or add on to an existing elementary school. There is a space needs committee working on this issue.
Q - Is the Brick school open or closed?
A - It is still in currently but it has not been fully funded. There are open classrooms at Davis Thayer that could easily absorb the classroom.
Q - The Newcomer's group is looking to use space for the meetings but the town facilities are not generally open or under consideration.
A - Jeff Nutting says that this could be discussed.
Q & A session (live reporting)
Jeff shifts the topic to Finances
Fixed cost continue to rise above our ability to raise revenues
There is a three-year plan as part of this years budget, we get more negative each year going out.
All employees are getting modest raises, generally less than the cost of living.
"Don't beat up public employees just because the town is having financial problems"
"We talk about regionalization and every where else in the country that happens but doesn't happen here."
There is a ballot item this November to remove the State Income tax. This provides 40% of the state revenue. What would replace it? No one has answered that question.
----------------
Steve Whalen
"A town's budget is a reflection of it's values"
Steve explains how the tax rate analysis he did was done separately it is not an official town document. He did the analysis to answer the comments coming during the override discussion last year that "we can't afford it" He is a financial analyst in his work life.
The residential tax burden goes to affordability.
Being 24th out of 30, tells Steve that if we chose to, we can afford to pay more.
15th out of 17th amongst the towns with a single tax rate.
"One thing I would say to you as an analyst, the override is not about overspending and waste. It not about miss-management. It is about what kind of town you want to live in."
Based upon Steve's analysis, "it is a sensible thing to do."
After tax cost about 50 cents per day.
Newcomer - "There is a different approach this year, it is not being thrust down our throats."
Jeff Roy
"If the layoffs go through, it is a step back of some magnitude."
You are getting factual information to make a choice.
Look at Randolph and what is happening there.
Steve Whalen
OPEC and the oil countries don't care that MA has a Prop 2 1/2 in place.
If I were in Hopkinton, #4 on the listing, I would be digging into the numbers to find ways.
Jim Roche
If property values decrease, the overall taxes will not decrease, we will raise the tax rates.
Arlington plan outlined. Whether we go that way or not, we do need to go with a longer term plan.
Jeff Nutting
Q - What happened to Chap 70? Isn't that the local aid designed for the schools? Where is it going, is it going into the general town fund?
A - Yes, it is but as long as we are above the net school spending per the State, we can apply it as we need to.
Wayne Ogden
Reviewing his handout that will be used in the Town Budget meetings next week.
First chart, the State average spending category by category showing where Franklin is less than the state average in 10 of the 11 categories.
Last year, we were 9 of 11. Next year, Wayne predicts that next year if the override were to fail we will be lower than the state in all 11 categories.
Wayne walks through the numbers to get from the level service number less the town funding to get to the override number of $2.8 Million.
Use gas instead of oil to heat schools and have locked in a good rate to save money.
Impact of failed override restated as
If a teacher gets another position, we don't pay their unemployment.
Sample teacher salaries across several communities the highest and lowest salaries are very comparable.
Q - What is the cost of the late bus?
A - $39,600. There are so many bad choices.
Q - How does the school facilities budget affect the budget?
A - It is not a money savings measure. There are more likely to be increases in future years.
Jeff Roy did find the clip of Jeff Nutting predicting last year that this year we would need approx $3 million for another override, hence his "Nostradamus" nick name.
Jim Roche
Q - I understand why we are here again this year. Mis-management is the perception.
A - The use of the surplus and the growth in Chapter 70 has allowed the town to avoid the problem. The base needs to grow substantially.
Steve Whalen
"Hard to argue that you can be a real high quality town with really low taxes."
Fixed cost continue to rise above our ability to raise revenues
There is a three-year plan as part of this years budget, we get more negative each year going out.
All employees are getting modest raises, generally less than the cost of living.
"Don't beat up public employees just because the town is having financial problems"
"We talk about regionalization and every where else in the country that happens but doesn't happen here."
There is a ballot item this November to remove the State Income tax. This provides 40% of the state revenue. What would replace it? No one has answered that question.
----------------
Steve Whalen
"A town's budget is a reflection of it's values"
Steve explains how the tax rate analysis he did was done separately it is not an official town document. He did the analysis to answer the comments coming during the override discussion last year that "we can't afford it" He is a financial analyst in his work life.
The residential tax burden goes to affordability.
Being 24th out of 30, tells Steve that if we chose to, we can afford to pay more.
15th out of 17th amongst the towns with a single tax rate.
"One thing I would say to you as an analyst, the override is not about overspending and waste. It not about miss-management. It is about what kind of town you want to live in."
Based upon Steve's analysis, "it is a sensible thing to do."
After tax cost about 50 cents per day.
Newcomer - "There is a different approach this year, it is not being thrust down our throats."
Jeff Roy
"If the layoffs go through, it is a step back of some magnitude."
You are getting factual information to make a choice.
Look at Randolph and what is happening there.
Steve Whalen
OPEC and the oil countries don't care that MA has a Prop 2 1/2 in place.
If I were in Hopkinton, #4 on the listing, I would be digging into the numbers to find ways.
Jim Roche
If property values decrease, the overall taxes will not decrease, we will raise the tax rates.
Arlington plan outlined. Whether we go that way or not, we do need to go with a longer term plan.
Jeff Nutting
Q - What happened to Chap 70? Isn't that the local aid designed for the schools? Where is it going, is it going into the general town fund?
A - Yes, it is but as long as we are above the net school spending per the State, we can apply it as we need to.
Wayne Ogden
Reviewing his handout that will be used in the Town Budget meetings next week.
First chart, the State average spending category by category showing where Franklin is less than the state average in 10 of the 11 categories.
Last year, we were 9 of 11. Next year, Wayne predicts that next year if the override were to fail we will be lower than the state in all 11 categories.
Wayne walks through the numbers to get from the level service number less the town funding to get to the override number of $2.8 Million.
Use gas instead of oil to heat schools and have locked in a good rate to save money.
Impact of failed override restated as
- 17 teachers and one administrator at the High School
- 12.5 teachers at the middle schools
- 15 teachers at the elementary schools
- district wide reductions in curriculum teams, professional development, text books, late bus, increase pay-to-ride, and loss one additional administrator at the Central Office
- increase in class sizes
If a teacher gets another position, we don't pay their unemployment.
Sample teacher salaries across several communities the highest and lowest salaries are very comparable.
Q - What is the cost of the late bus?
A - $39,600. There are so many bad choices.
Q - How does the school facilities budget affect the budget?
A - It is not a money savings measure. There are more likely to be increases in future years.
Jeff Roy did find the clip of Jeff Nutting predicting last year that this year we would need approx $3 million for another override, hence his "Nostradamus" nick name.
Jim Roche
Q - I understand why we are here again this year. Mis-management is the perception.
A - The use of the surplus and the growth in Chapter 70 has allowed the town to avoid the problem. The base needs to grow substantially.
Steve Whalen
"Hard to argue that you can be a real high quality town with really low taxes."
Newcomer's Club - Override Information Forum
Live reporting from the Knight's of Columbus Hall
Jeff Nutting, Wayne Ogden, Jeff Roy, Steve Whalen, Jim Roche
Jeff Nutting opens with a general overview of Franklin
New Senior Center, Fire station (ladder truck arrives next week)
New building downtown, continuing to build the condominiums in back
Family Circle one of top 10 to raise a family
Fortune Small Business of of 10 best to start a business
Fourth of July being supported by Town to the extent that they can
Looking to improve te quality of life
Bids out to repair the outside of the library
Schools need repairs, the high school is also a challenge
Sewer rate going down, water rate going up
Continue to re-invest in the town and its facilities
Done a lot of catch up in last 6-7 years
Now try to just maintain the capital investments
and to take care of the roads, the State paid for Union St (over $1M)
redesign downtown being planned
will look at underground utilities, they are expensive
Four Corners Building sale up for Council vote next week
$2.5 Million vs. the $1 M we paid for it
Pond St land still up for consideration
Banners are not actually legal in town
trying to contain the use, Town has been guilty of violating this
--------------
Q - What about the signs over the train tracks?
A - use the sign in downtown to advertise, approval for sign comes from the Building Dept.
Q - How is revenue generated for the town?
A - business pay about 20% of our income, previously paid about 24%, the burden shifts amongst the payers but the town still collects the same amount of tax income (by law). It would be nice to collect more from businesses, but given the amount of land left, not going to change the percentage very much. There will be more re-development than new development. Local receipts fluctuate with the economy, i.e. excise taxes from auto sales. MA very reliant on property taxes. Where did last year's override money go? It is in the revenue stream, in the budget and being used. State will have a real issue in 2010 with limited options to provide local funding. The good news about Prop 2 1/2 is that the citizens decide the quality of life for the community. Most important it to get the facts and make a decision. Show up and vote.
Q - What would it take to get sidewalks on Chestnut?
A - Jokingly, slim or none. Realistically, there are other roads ahead of Chestnut on the list. Re-doing Pleasant street is estimated at costing $9.2 million. Storm water regulations are coming. Unfunded Health Insurance liability, $50 Million exposure with no plan yet.
Q - Is there a way to find out when sidewalks get fixed.
A - There is a listing at the DPW of priorities.
Q - Any thoughts of re-designing Lincoln St near the school?
A - Did put some adjustments there when it opened. There is a design on file to replace the walkway with another lane. It is designed in case it really becomes an issue. If more folks do drive their kids (i.e. with the bus fee rising).
Q - On the re-design of downtown is there a parking garage?
A - Not really foreseeable. Parking is an issue. Park at Wrentham Mall and walk a mile to the car, but downtown you want to park next to the store.
Q - What about the water ban?
A - Part of our state permit is the water ban. They determine the amount of water we can pump. We are selling less water which is why the water rates are going up?
Q - Everybody is going green, what about solar?
A - From a commercial perspective, only one location in the state forest and one up by Tri-County that would have enough wind to drive the turbine and sell electricity back to the grid.
Q - What is happening on Daniels St?
A - A new water main is going in this year, paving would be next year.
Jeff Nutting, Wayne Ogden, Jeff Roy, Steve Whalen, Jim Roche
Jeff Nutting opens with a general overview of Franklin
New Senior Center, Fire station (ladder truck arrives next week)
New building downtown, continuing to build the condominiums in back
Family Circle one of top 10 to raise a family
Fortune Small Business of of 10 best to start a business
Fourth of July being supported by Town to the extent that they can
Looking to improve te quality of life
Bids out to repair the outside of the library
Schools need repairs, the high school is also a challenge
Sewer rate going down, water rate going up
Continue to re-invest in the town and its facilities
Done a lot of catch up in last 6-7 years
Now try to just maintain the capital investments
and to take care of the roads, the State paid for Union St (over $1M)
redesign downtown being planned
will look at underground utilities, they are expensive
Four Corners Building sale up for Council vote next week
$2.5 Million vs. the $1 M we paid for it
Pond St land still up for consideration
Banners are not actually legal in town
trying to contain the use, Town has been guilty of violating this
--------------
Q - What about the signs over the train tracks?
A - use the sign in downtown to advertise, approval for sign comes from the Building Dept.
Q - How is revenue generated for the town?
A - business pay about 20% of our income, previously paid about 24%, the burden shifts amongst the payers but the town still collects the same amount of tax income (by law). It would be nice to collect more from businesses, but given the amount of land left, not going to change the percentage very much. There will be more re-development than new development. Local receipts fluctuate with the economy, i.e. excise taxes from auto sales. MA very reliant on property taxes. Where did last year's override money go? It is in the revenue stream, in the budget and being used. State will have a real issue in 2010 with limited options to provide local funding. The good news about Prop 2 1/2 is that the citizens decide the quality of life for the community. Most important it to get the facts and make a decision. Show up and vote.
Q - What would it take to get sidewalks on Chestnut?
A - Jokingly, slim or none. Realistically, there are other roads ahead of Chestnut on the list. Re-doing Pleasant street is estimated at costing $9.2 million. Storm water regulations are coming. Unfunded Health Insurance liability, $50 Million exposure with no plan yet.
Q - Is there a way to find out when sidewalks get fixed.
A - There is a listing at the DPW of priorities.
Q - Any thoughts of re-designing Lincoln St near the school?
A - Did put some adjustments there when it opened. There is a design on file to replace the walkway with another lane. It is designed in case it really becomes an issue. If more folks do drive their kids (i.e. with the bus fee rising).
Q - On the re-design of downtown is there a parking garage?
A - Not really foreseeable. Parking is an issue. Park at Wrentham Mall and walk a mile to the car, but downtown you want to park next to the store.
Q - What about the water ban?
A - Part of our state permit is the water ban. They determine the amount of water we can pump. We are selling less water which is why the water rates are going up?
Q - Everybody is going green, what about solar?
A - From a commercial perspective, only one location in the state forest and one up by Tri-County that would have enough wind to drive the turbine and sell electricity back to the grid.
Q - What is happening on Daniels St?
A - A new water main is going in this year, paving would be next year.
Where in Franklin? #49
A challenge this time submitted by a reader.
Where would you find this scene?
The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Where in Franklin? Answer #48
The answer came in from two folks correctly identifying this as
Bullukian Oil on Alpine Row.
Thanks for playing!
"Some people believe school officials are not actually going to follow through"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Forty-seven teachers were given notices yesterday informing them they may not have a job this September, Superintendent Wayne Ogden announced last night.
The teachers, whose identities are not public, were told the district's budget made it impossible to promise them a job in the fall, Ogden said.
School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said it made him "sick."
"It's just painful for people who received the notices, it's their livelihood," Ogden said, noting some of the teachers have worked in Franklin schools many years.
"It's a heavy burden for them," said Ogden, who decided to warn teachers early to give them an opportunity to find other jobs.
Read the full story at the Milford Daily News here
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