Franklin Matters

Friday, February 20, 2009

"we're looking to impact their behavior"

More than a dozen young adults who were at the October underage drinking party where 17-year-old Taylor Meyer of Plainville was last seen alive must take part in a drug- and alcohol-awareness program, in addition to fulfilling other requirements, a Wrentham District Court judge ordered Thursday.

Fourteen people ranging in age from 17 to 20 appeared before Judge Warren Powers for a probable cause hearing, each facing a charge of underage possession of alcohol, said David Traub, a spokesman for Norfolk District Attorney William Keating.

All were charged following the Oct. 17 post-Homecoming party at the former Norfolk Airport. Meyer, who wandered away from the group, became lost, and drowned in an adjacent wetland. Her blood alcohol level was .13, according to autopsy findings.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"You'd have to change the marketplace"

FRANKLIN —

In continuing discussions about presenting a three-year fiscal plan for the town, the Financial Planning Committee last night generally agreed that without some kind of structural change the town's expenses will outpace its revenue indefinitely.

Most towns in the state are contending with the same problem, even affluent communities such as Newton, said Town Councilor Shannon Zollo, who is also a planning committee member.

"Our budget goes up a lot more than 2.5 percent every year, it's more in the 4 or 5 percent range," said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Financial Planning Committee minutes 2/5/09

FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 5, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

Members present were: Deborah Bartlett, James Roche, Matt Kelly, Roberta Trahan, Rebecca Cameron, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek. Also present were Jeffrey Nutting and Wayne Odgen. Absent were Steve Whalen and Shannon Zollo.

The Committee reviewed reports to date. Matt Kelly handed out a sample of FAQ's for review. Deborah Bartlett and Roberta Trahan submitted their information to Doug Hardesty. Jim Roche handed out a draft of his work; Jeff Nutting continues to work with Rebecca on the assumptions. Members should submit changes, improvements etc. to Doug Hardesty in the next 10 days so it will be ready for the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeffrey Nutting

Financial Planning Committee minutes 1/15/09

FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
January 15, 2009

A meeting of the Financial Planning Committee was held on January 15, 2009 at the Franklin Municipal Building. Members present were Deborah Bartlett, Shannon Zollo, Roberta Trahan, Jim Roche, Rebecca Cameron and Doug Hardesty, Matt Kelly & Gwynne Wilschek. Also present was Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator and Wayne Odgen, School Superintendent. Absent was Steve Whalen.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

The Chairman Jim Roche asked that each subcommittee report on the progress of their assignment. The members reviewed their work to date and the Committee discussed the work and suggested a format for a final product by each subgroup.

Doug Hardesty requested that all work at the individual level be completed in two weeks and forwarded to him so he could collate the information.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2009

Respectfully submitted,

Jeffrey D. Nutting

Financial Planning Committee minutes 12/18/08

FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2008

A meeting of the Financial Planning Committee was held on December 18, 2008 at the Franklin Municipal Building. Members present were Deborah Bartlett, Shannon Zollo, Roberta Trahan, Rebecca Cameron, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek. Also present were Jeffrey Nutting and Wayne Odgen. Absent were Steve Whalen, Matt Kelly and Jim Roche.

The Town Administrator handed out information on the comparison of the FY01 to FY09 budgets, a list of all things all departments have done over the last many years to reduce staff, cut costs, improve efficiencies, receive grants, etc., as well as a list of legislative priority items the Massachusetts Municipal Association and others are hoping the Legislature will consider in order to control costs.

Doug Hardesty asked what the Committee thought should be included in the report. Deb Bartlett suggested an executive summary, budget information, fiscal policies, history of capital, school mandates, costs beyond the control of the Town, services we must perform and how citizens might help. Other suggestions were bulletin points, graphs and charts, but keeping the summary to a few pages, as well as information on population, students, staffing etc. Doug offered to try a "straw man" draft of the format and then committee members would need to do some work to fill in the information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeffrey Nutting

The Green Reel: "The Next Industrial Revolution"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: The Next Industrial Revolution"

When: 7:00 PM on February 22, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "The Next Industrial Revolution" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro