With the discussion around repairing the "bandstand" (what it should be called) or "gazebo" (what it has commonly been referred to), I stopped on a gray Monday (March 9th) to take some pictures.
It was typical New England mixed precipitation day, a mix of snow and rain, which worked nicely to highlight the problems with the roof being shorter than the base. In the slide show here, you'll see that the rain drops from the edge of the roof form good sized puddles around the inside of the railings.
The railings along one side are badly peeled. Sections of the interior roof are rotten and need replacement. Sections of the exterior tile are broken and missing.
Fortunately, the Town Council approved the capital expense of about $50,000 which would cover the lowest of multiple bids for the repair work. The initial estimate of $100,000 was likely a good guess. We are fortunate that the actual bids came in significantly less. The high bid was around $88,000 and the low bid at $48,000.
The bandstand is a center piece of the town and should be fixed.
Note that this repair will use capital dollars which can not be used for operational expenses, i.e. supplies or personnel salaries. I know there is still a great deal of misunderstanding about the difference between capital dollars and operational dollars. I will be working on a slide show to try and explain the difference. If you have some suggestions, please let me know. Usually for a problem of this type, putting more heads to it will bring better results.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
"If you really want us, you gotta ride us"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Franklin may lose its bus service if more people don't start riding the bus, officials warned in a roundtable discussion with the public at the Senior Center yesterday.
"It's been tough. I don't want to say it's going to end, but I do want to say there's some urgency," said George Colajezzi, a marketing consultant for the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority.
GATRA, which provides bus service via the Franklin Area Bus, just finished its 52nd week of service and has fallen short of projected ridership, Colajezzi said.
An average of 149 people ride the bus every week, he said, which is about 100 fewer than what GATRA wants.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
"your financial statements are totally in (good order)"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Five more town unions have volunteered to freeze their salaries and make higher co-payments on their health insurance to save jobs, Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting announced at last night's Town Council meeting.
Highway workers, custodians, clerks, tradespeople (such as electricians and plumbers), police and fire dispatcher unions, all of whom fall under the umbrella of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees union, each voted affirmatively, Nutting said.
"That will save all their potential layoffs," Nutting said.
In total, those unions have about 130 members, he said.
Read the full article on the Town Council meeting in the Milford Daily News here.
For the live reporting from the complete meeting check here.
Industry: Safe Lifting Leadership Award
In our ongoing series on local businesses, I find this press release appropriate for a couple of reasons.
1 - a local company has created a portal to work the bigger issue (safe lifting)
2 - as part of that portal, they select someone doing the right thing (the award winner)
This is a win/win in my book. Congrats to Liko for sponsoring this award and for Gundersen for winning it.
For more information on the Safe Lifting Leadership Award or Liko’s sponsorship of the Safe Lifting Portal, contact
This press release was found here
1 - a local company has created a portal to work the bigger issue (safe lifting)
2 - as part of that portal, they select someone doing the right thing (the award winner)
This is a win/win in my book. Congrats to Liko for sponsoring this award and for Gundersen for winning it.
Franklin, MA – March 17, 2009 – The pro bono healthcare injury prevention website Safe Lifting Portal (http://www.safeliftingportal.com/), has announced that its newly instituted Safe Lifting Leadership Award has been presented to Gundersen Lutheran Health System of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The award was given in recognition of Gundersen Lutheran’s outstanding accomplishments in safe patient handling, safe lifting, and caregiver injury prevention.A DVD describing the hospital’s accomplishments can be ordered from http://www.safeliftingportal.com/gundersen-lutheran/
Gundersen Lutheran Health System includes a 325-bed teaching hospital and a Level II Trauma Center. As one of the leading medical facilities in the mid-west, the health system has received eleven top 100 designations in as many years. It serves patients throughout western Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa, and southeastern Minnesota, providing care in 19 counties.
In 2003, Gundersen Lutheran Health System initiated a patient and staff injury prevention program. Key components of the program included installation of ceiling lifts to transfer patients, an extensive staff orientation and training program, and on-going monitoring of usage compliance. The ceiling lifts were installed in units hospital-wide, including intensive care, coronary care, rehabilitation and PT, pediatrics, morgue, diagnostic areas, and the OB/GYN water birth room.
Among the more significant results of the program have been substantial decreases in injury rates, reduced workers’ compensation costs, and less employee lost time and restricted time. The program has also increased staff retention rates and proved to be an excellent staff recruitment tool.
Emphasizing Gundersen Lutheran’s firm commitment to patient and employee safety, Gary Brunslik, Manager of Safety, commented, “Preventing staff injury is good business from the financial standpoint, but also, it is the right thing to do."Kathy Weitekamp, RN, BSN, Care Manager, went on to say, “We’ve been able to show a 57% decrease in the number of patient handling claims, which we feel is pretty significant. Lost time has gone down 78% and restricted time has gone down 81%, so we’re very pleased. Our ceiling lift return on investment has been less than three years."Dr. William Scorby, Medical Director for Employee Health, added, "We also see the safe lifting program as playing an important role in staff retention and recruiting - keeping our experienced nurses safe and injury free while attracting new nurses trained in safe lifting techniques to Gundersen Lutheran." The objective of the Safe Lifting Leadership Award is to encourage other institutions to follow the lead of “best practices” institutions in their attempts to instill permanent, sustainable culture change – a so-called “culture of safety” – within their organizations. Patient safety, advocacy for healthcare excellence, successful implementation of safe lifting initiatives, and willingness to share results and assist other institutions are among key evaluation criteria for the award.
For more information on the Safe Lifting Leadership Award or Liko’s sponsorship of the Safe Lifting Portal, contact
Liko – A Hill-Rom Company,
122 Grove Street,
Franklin, MA 02038;
telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993;
fax (508) 528-6642;
visit the Liko website at http://www.liko.com/
or visit http://www.safeliftingportal.com/
This press release was found here
Town Council Mtg Smry - 03/18/09
The collection of live reporting posts for the Town Council meeting 3/18/09 are here
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Live reporting - Administrator report
Nutting - with a little knock on wood, we'll be able to meet the winter snow and ice with what we allocated (initially $700K and an additionally $600K)
GATRA - meeting today on how to keep them alive, the ridership is only 149/per week. They need 250-300 per week to meet their needs.
Meeting Friday for elected and Town officials with McGovern's office. Not for the public but FYI for those folks here.
Old business - none
New business -
Question, probably should have been asked earlier - where are we with the state and the possible new revenues?
Nutting - It might be several months before those local tax options are decided at the State level. I'll be putting the budget together assuming we don't get those.
Pfeffer - When the Haywood family donated it, it was a bandstand. In those days, folks didn't do gazebos, they built bandstands.
Vallee - I just want to go on record that I will not support the fee increases. It goes against what is supposed to be done at this time of recession/depression.
Motion - to go into executive session. Passed 8-0
GATRA - meeting today on how to keep them alive, the ridership is only 149/per week. They need 250-300 per week to meet their needs.
Meeting Friday for elected and Town officials with McGovern's office. Not for the public but FYI for those folks here.
Old business - none
New business -
Question, probably should have been asked earlier - where are we with the state and the possible new revenues?
Nutting - It might be several months before those local tax options are decided at the State level. I'll be putting the budget together assuming we don't get those.
Pfeffer - When the Haywood family donated it, it was a bandstand. In those days, folks didn't do gazebos, they built bandstands.
Vallee - I just want to go on record that I will not support the fee increases. It goes against what is supposed to be done at this time of recession/depression.
Motion - to go into executive session. Passed 8-0
Live reporting - legislation for action
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Dave Roche, Building Commissioner
The base of the building was expanded at some point but the roof did not cover it creating a water problem.
The edges of the roof are rotted. It won't do anything really to change the appearance. Simply extend the roof by about a foot to provide the protection needed.
Later we can use the Town electrician to change the lighting.
We don't have the expertise to do the tile ourselves. The Historical Commission and everybody else requested to keep the tile.
Motion to amend to include the interest accrued.
McGann question to keep the work within the Town's contractors.
Nutting - the bids already came in, don't know where they are from but we need to take the lowest bid.
Gary McGarraher, Fire Chief
Explains the billing process involving Medicare rates, not using assignments any longer to ensure full recover of the funds,
It really is not an increase in rates, it is bundling it differently in order to capture the full Medicare amount.
McGann - in comparison to surrounding Towns, where are we?
Roche - we last changed the rates eight years ago. We are in some cases, incredibly low for comparable services. With the services we are offering, we were not covering our costs. Even though it is not the best time to do so, it is something that allows us to recover more of our costs.
The state will ask the communities to review the fees to ensure that they cover the budget.
- Resolution 09-15: Acceptance of Deed of Parcel 29A, Palomino Drive motion passed 8-0
- Resolution 09-16: Acceptance of Deed of Parcel 29 B, Paddock Lane motion passed 8-0
- Resolution 09-17: Declaration of Town-Owned Land as Surplus and Available for Disposition motion passed 8-0
- Resolution 09-18: Appropriation Town Common Band Stand motion passed 8-0
- Bylaw Amendment 09-631: Chapter 82 Fees, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates - 1st Reading motion passed 8-0
Dave Roche, Building Commissioner
The base of the building was expanded at some point but the roof did not cover it creating a water problem.
The edges of the roof are rotted. It won't do anything really to change the appearance. Simply extend the roof by about a foot to provide the protection needed.
Later we can use the Town electrician to change the lighting.
We don't have the expertise to do the tile ourselves. The Historical Commission and everybody else requested to keep the tile.
Motion to amend to include the interest accrued.
McGann question to keep the work within the Town's contractors.
Nutting - the bids already came in, don't know where they are from but we need to take the lowest bid.
Gary McGarraher, Fire Chief
Explains the billing process involving Medicare rates, not using assignments any longer to ensure full recover of the funds,
It really is not an increase in rates, it is bundling it differently in order to capture the full Medicare amount.
McGann - in comparison to surrounding Towns, where are we?
Roche - we last changed the rates eight years ago. We are in some cases, incredibly low for comparable services. With the services we are offering, we were not covering our costs. Even though it is not the best time to do so, it is something that allows us to recover more of our costs.
The state will ask the communities to review the fees to ensure that they cover the budget.
Live reporting - Audit report
Susan Gagner
Jim Dacey
Auditor (fill in name later)
no material entries made to start the audit
The audit report can be found here (PDF)
Auditor recommendation to set up a capital account, current capital is budgeted by using "free cash"
Auditor recommendation on formal system to support data for utility abatements and adjustments for DPW
Q - Bartlett, we had a problem with reconciling ambulance reports from last time
A - Gagner, we have reconciled the first 6 months of 2009, we added a report to perform this audit and that why the item is no longer part of the report.
Q - Bartlett, and last year with the School problem
A - Gagner, the separation between entries has been set up, they don't have access to make ledger entries
Q - Bartlett, so this report covers the School's as well
A - Auditor, yes, this is completely covered, no issues found
Jim Dacey
Auditor (fill in name later)
no material entries made to start the audit
The audit report can be found here (PDF)
Auditor recommendation to set up a capital account, current capital is budgeted by using "free cash"
Auditor recommendation on formal system to support data for utility abatements and adjustments for DPW
Q - Bartlett, we had a problem with reconciling ambulance reports from last time
A - Gagner, we have reconciled the first 6 months of 2009, we added a report to perform this audit and that why the item is no longer part of the report.
Q - Bartlett, and last year with the School problem
A - Gagner, the separation between entries has been set up, they don't have access to make ledger entries
Q - Bartlett, so this report covers the School's as well
A - Auditor, yes, this is completely covered, no issues found
Live reporting: Town Council mtg 3/18/09
Attending: Whalen, Mason, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, McGann
Missing: Zollo,
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 3/4/09 Regular and Executive Session
motion to approve - passed 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nutting - non-union municipal, school, police have all stepped up to take the pay freeze this year
5 other unions, total 6 of 8 Town have agreed to take the freeze. Jeff thanks everyone to date. The School Admin, School Committee and teachers are working their side.
Pfeffer - comments open for 5 minutes, must be resident, will be recorded on camera, broadcast via internet and cable, no alias, must use real name
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
E. APPOINTMENTS - none
F. HEARINGS - none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
Missing: Zollo,
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 3/4/09 Regular and Executive Session
motion to approve - passed 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nutting - non-union municipal, school, police have all stepped up to take the pay freeze this year
5 other unions, total 6 of 8 Town have agreed to take the freeze. Jeff thanks everyone to date. The School Admin, School Committee and teachers are working their side.
Pfeffer - comments open for 5 minutes, must be resident, will be recorded on camera, broadcast via internet and cable, no alias, must use real name
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
E. APPOINTMENTS - none
F. HEARINGS - none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
GATRA still needs riders!
Did you know that GATRA has been operating here in Franklin for one year already?
Yes, it is true. They completed 52 weeks of service last week. They have provided free rides, coupons, and the ridership is only an average 149 per week. This is at least 100 below the target they set out with the Town to achieve when they began.
Will they be able to continue?
The decision is pending. Much like a lot of other areas. The resources are being looked at to see if they can justify the usage.
How can you help?
Consider riding GATRA. Look at the schedule here. Consider walking to one of the roads along the route and flag the bus down. Assuming, it is a good place to stop, they will.
Do you have any ideas on how to increase riders?
GATRA would love to hear from you. You can contact them through their web site here
"His mere presence ends confrontations and arguments"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
There is probably no one more excited to go to work and catch "the bad guys" than 11-year-old Chase, a black German shepherd police dog with the Franklin Police Department.
"I'll be at home and ask him, 'You want to go to work?' and he'll start jumping up and down and go right to the door to leave the house," said Officer Michael Gilboy, who calls Chase his best friend.
Gilboy and Chase are more than friends, though. Chase wears Gilboy's badge, which adorned his collar yesterday.
Read the full article about Chase, who retired yesterday, in the Milford Daily News here
GATRA - Franklin Area Bus
What:
Needs YOUR input to help us determine the future of the Franklin Area Bus
When:
Wednesday, March 18th - 4:00 p.m.
Where:
Franklin Senior Center - 10 Daniel McCahill Street
Franklin's Earth Day Celebration
Franklin's Earth Day Celebration
Saturday April 18th, 2009
Beaver Pond
Starts at 9:00 AM
Volunteer to clean up targeted areas and assist with planting flowers and shrubs around Franklin.
- Please bring your own water bottle.
- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
- Community service certificates will be issued.
- T-shirts to the first 200 volunteers.
- Clean up goes to 1:00 PM
Get some Eco-Info at Beaver Pond:
- Water conservation kits and rain barrel display.
- Mercury thermometer exchange for digital thermometers.
- Recycling tips and composting information.
- Energy conservation tips.
- Much more ! ! !
You can register on the Town website here
PodCamp Western Mass - March 28th - Holyoke
It's time to bring the PodCamp concept to Western Mass. We have a thriving community here of some truly amazing people. This is a chance for Western Mass bloggers, business people, artists, and academics, to get together, make connections, and for everyone to learn how social media can enhance their business, cause or organization. This is also a chance to celebrate the cornucopia of Western Mass. culture, a joyous blend of urban and rural; business, artistic and academic; near enough to other large metro areas, but small enough to hear yourself think.
When: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Where: Open Square in Holyoke, Second Floor
(Open Square is the mill building across the street from The Wherehouse. Entrance to parking is from either Lyman Street or Dwight Street. Open Square is located between the first and second level canals, which are bordered by Race St and Front St. The nearest entrance to the stairs and elevator is marked with a very large white "4".)
- Please use the tag PodCampWesternMass or hashtag #pcwm or #pcwm09 for content related to this event
Rough Schedule:
Looking to set up 3 breakouts for each session time after the Opening Remarks
8:30 to 9:00 - Welcome desk and coffee (?)
9:00 to 9:30 - Opening Remarks: Explanation of Unconference Format.
9:30 to 10:30 - Session 1
Break (1/2 hr.)
11:00 to Noon - Session 2
Noon to 2:00 - Lunch
2:00 to 3:00 - Session 3
Break (1/2 hr)
3:30 to 4:30 Session 4
4:30 to 5:00 Closing Remarks
You can register for PodCamp Western Mass here
------------
I will be traveling out to Holyoke to run the Welcome Desk, if anyone would like to join drive from Franklin with me, please let me know.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
FEF Trivia Bee Thursday March 19th 7:00 PM
Good fun for a good cause, fund raising for the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF). They provide lots of support the school budget has not covered.
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