The collection of live reporting posts from the Finance Committee meeting to start the annual budget review held on Thursday 4/16/09
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Live reporting - Cultural, Animal
Cultural Council
starter funds for matching grant to provide support to local artists in the community
Animal Control
in conjunction with Bellingham, salary paid by Bellingham, we pay certain expenses and gain 24x7 coverage
been going on for 15 years, well oiled and operating
Expansion could be considered but the kennel size would need to be increased
Would cost more to add to the kennel than it would generate in revenue to offset
end of budget hearings
Reminder - Financial Planning Committee meeting being held at Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium on Monday April 27th, 7:00 PM
Earth Day - 9:00 AM on Saturday April 18th, start at Beaver Pond
motion to adjourn
starter funds for matching grant to provide support to local artists in the community
Animal Control
in conjunction with Bellingham, salary paid by Bellingham, we pay certain expenses and gain 24x7 coverage
been going on for 15 years, well oiled and operating
Expansion could be considered but the kennel size would need to be increased
Would cost more to add to the kennel than it would generate in revenue to offset
end of budget hearings
Reminder - Financial Planning Committee meeting being held at Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium on Monday April 27th, 7:00 PM
Earth Day - 9:00 AM on Saturday April 18th, start at Beaver Pond
motion to adjourn
Live reporting - Historical, Memorial, CATV
Historical Commission
Jeff - keeping documents up to date, pay a few bills for the historical commission
had increased from 1,000 to 2,000 in anticipation of the new building up and running. It hasn't yet but it will be used fully once the new building is open.
Memorial Day
purchase of flags for the graves to be put on by volunteers
CATV
We have to budget a minimum amount per subscriber
used to offset the costs of the broadcasts going out over the air waves
set by the license
Jeff - keeping documents up to date, pay a few bills for the historical commission
had increased from 1,000 to 2,000 in anticipation of the new building up and running. It hasn't yet but it will be used fully once the new building is open.
Memorial Day
purchase of flags for the graves to be put on by volunteers
CATV
We have to budget a minimum amount per subscriber
used to offset the costs of the broadcasts going out over the air waves
set by the license
Live reporting - Treasurer/Collector - Debt
Jim Dacey -
Debt
FY 2010 debt peaks, debt stabilization fund set up years ago to handle this peak
(hand out to be updated/included later)
We don't have a lot of room in this part of the budget, these are legal obligations, they need to be paid.
3.5% is reserved for mortgage payment, so we always have room for capital without having to raise tax rates.
The building lasts 60 years, we'll pay it off in 17 years and maintain it.
The police station and Parmenter School are fully paid off.
15 years ago, the call provision was not written into the note at that time.
The Four Corners Building when it gets sold, the funds would be held to pay off the bond until 2014. The excess amount over the purchase price would be held in reserve for use on other capital expenses. Likely to pay off the library and look at other uses of the remainder of the funds.
Treasurer/Collector
New expense item, $35,000 for attorney's title search on foreclosures
Really moving the line from another section of the budget due to proper accounting rules
Reduced 25,000 bills down to 17,000 envelopes to mail (postage savings) with senior services.
Lockbox services handle about 80,000 pieces. Even items dropped in the box at the building or handed over the counter get sent out to the lockbox. They image and index, it makes a really good tool to use.
Debt
FY 2010 debt peaks, debt stabilization fund set up years ago to handle this peak
(hand out to be updated/included later)
We don't have a lot of room in this part of the budget, these are legal obligations, they need to be paid.
3.5% is reserved for mortgage payment, so we always have room for capital without having to raise tax rates.
The building lasts 60 years, we'll pay it off in 17 years and maintain it.
The police station and Parmenter School are fully paid off.
15 years ago, the call provision was not written into the note at that time.
The Four Corners Building when it gets sold, the funds would be held to pay off the bond until 2014. The excess amount over the purchase price would be held in reserve for use on other capital expenses. Likely to pay off the library and look at other uses of the remainder of the funds.
Treasurer/Collector
New expense item, $35,000 for attorney's title search on foreclosures
Really moving the line from another section of the budget due to proper accounting rules
Reduced 25,000 bills down to 17,000 envelopes to mail (postage savings) with senior services.
Lockbox services handle about 80,000 pieces. Even items dropped in the box at the building or handed over the counter get sent out to the lockbox. They image and index, it makes a really good tool to use.
Live reproting - Senior Center
Karen Alves
we provide more than twice the services than you see here
shifted salary of part time bus driver to revolving account using the revenue from the trips to cover the salary
TriValley Elder services we cut this year. They are funded via other sources so it won't affect the services currently being delivered.
How many volunteer hours do we provide?
10,700 hours
The amount of services you provide for the amount you get is amazing.
Nothing has been broached with the other towns in regionalization of services.
The Senior Center benefits from the tax workoff program. Residents over 60 can work in Town departments and gain credit at minimum
The amount of grants received to support the Senior Center operations is approx. $120,000 which would effectively double the existing budget.
we provide more than twice the services than you see here
shifted salary of part time bus driver to revolving account using the revenue from the trips to cover the salary
TriValley Elder services we cut this year. They are funded via other sources so it won't affect the services currently being delivered.
How many volunteer hours do we provide?
10,700 hours
The amount of services you provide for the amount you get is amazing.
Nothing has been broached with the other towns in regionalization of services.
The Senior Center benefits from the tax workoff program. Residents over 60 can work in Town departments and gain credit at minimum
The amount of grants received to support the Senior Center operations is approx. $120,000 which would effectively double the existing budget.
Live reporting - Public Health Services
David E. McKearney, R.S.
nursing services for the community, flu clinics, home visits as mandated by the Dept of Health.
It is a good deal for Franklin, we could not do this internally for less.
nursing services for the community, flu clinics, home visits as mandated by the Dept of Health.
It is a good deal for Franklin, we could not do this internally for less.
Live reporting - Health
David E. McKearney, R.S.
One adjustment, we will eliminate 5 vehicles assigned to staff. Jeff decided this recently. Some individuals that still need transportation will get a travel reimbursement. There would be an adjustment to add the travel expense to some of the budgets, like Health. It should still be a net savings.
May need some additional insurance coverage for business use of the personal car. The expense for that would be in the persons arena.
There is a bubble flowing through, with the freeze implemented this year, we will start 2011 in a 5-6 million hole. We have been pushing the bubble off for about 6-7 years.
One adjustment, we will eliminate 5 vehicles assigned to staff. Jeff decided this recently. Some individuals that still need transportation will get a travel reimbursement. There would be an adjustment to add the travel expense to some of the budgets, like Health. It should still be a net savings.
May need some additional insurance coverage for business use of the personal car. The expense for that would be in the persons arena.
There is a bubble flowing through, with the freeze implemented this year, we will start 2011 in a 5-6 million hole. We have been pushing the bubble off for about 6-7 years.
Live reporting - central services
Norma Collins
copy paper, copy machines, no salaries linked to the line item
did have some savings this year with the annual report now posted on the Town website, less hard copies will be required.
postage will increase May 11th
How many actual annual reports are actually printed?
Jeff - thousands
The expense in the report is in the first copy. After that, the cost is reduced due to the volume.
We still need to do a hard caopy for the public record.
copy paper, copy machines, no salaries linked to the line item
did have some savings this year with the annual report now posted on the Town website, less hard copies will be required.
postage will increase May 11th
How many actual annual reports are actually printed?
Jeff - thousands
The expense in the report is in the first copy. After that, the cost is reduced due to the volume.
We still need to do a hard caopy for the public record.
Live reporting - Finance Committee - 4/16/09
Attending:
Brett S. Feldman
Juan Rivera
Patricia Goldsmith
Phyllis Messere
Rebecca Cameron
John F. Caulfield
Mark Cataldo
Robert Teixeira
James Roche
Tina Powderly (late)
Missing:
Craig Maire
Jeff Nutting provides a brief overview, the budget is still fluid, out of balance by about $115,000-215,000.
The local option tax upon meals could yield about $600,000-800,000 for a full year. We would still need to see how DOR would calculate the collections and disbursements. All kinds of talk, the vote is the only thing that counts though.
You need to get a budget out so you might make it contingent upon the final numbers when they come out in May, June.
Jim Roche - things will be up in the air until the last minute this year.
Susan Gagner - the budget does include the wage freezes already accepted by the unions thus far. The department heads have also taken a reduction in expenses.
Jim - didn't mean to gloss over that fact. As a citizen, I appreciate the effort put in by the unions. People say the government should be run like a business and on one hand I agree, on the other hand what they are giving up they are not getting back when the times get good again.
Bob Fahey - Veterans Service Officer, Outreach coordinator at Senior Center
Over $2 million dollars come into Franklin from the Veterans Administration
1 - for a service connected disability
2 - not service connected disabled but are disabled
$1092/monthly benefits to widows of veterans currently residing in Franklin
If these benefits were not coming to the town, then these folks would be on the Town side of the budget. Likely two, three or four times
19 currently on the Town rolls for veterans
This is truly a human services benefit. What you put forward, the town is reimbursed at a 75% rate a year later.
Currently expending an average of $11,000 per month. Hard to predict exactly how the services are requested.
Town budget is currently calling for 120,000 (versus run rate of 132,000)
MA is the only state that has a local veterans administration. We don't expect changes in reimbursement. What changes may occur to the benefits for the individuals is calculated later.
The benefit allocation does include a cost of living increase already.
Difference in requested vs recommended is due to the salary and the adjustment of the 3% increase frozen. You'll see that in all the budgets.
Brett S. Feldman
Juan Rivera
Patricia Goldsmith
Phyllis Messere
Rebecca Cameron
John F. Caulfield
Mark Cataldo
Robert Teixeira
James Roche
Tina Powderly (late)
Missing:
Craig Maire
Jeff Nutting provides a brief overview, the budget is still fluid, out of balance by about $115,000-215,000.
The local option tax upon meals could yield about $600,000-800,000 for a full year. We would still need to see how DOR would calculate the collections and disbursements. All kinds of talk, the vote is the only thing that counts though.
You need to get a budget out so you might make it contingent upon the final numbers when they come out in May, June.
Jim Roche - things will be up in the air until the last minute this year.
Susan Gagner - the budget does include the wage freezes already accepted by the unions thus far. The department heads have also taken a reduction in expenses.
Jim - didn't mean to gloss over that fact. As a citizen, I appreciate the effort put in by the unions. People say the government should be run like a business and on one hand I agree, on the other hand what they are giving up they are not getting back when the times get good again.
Bob Fahey - Veterans Service Officer, Outreach coordinator at Senior Center
Over $2 million dollars come into Franklin from the Veterans Administration
1 - for a service connected disability
2 - not service connected disabled but are disabled
$1092/monthly benefits to widows of veterans currently residing in Franklin
If these benefits were not coming to the town, then these folks would be on the Town side of the budget. Likely two, three or four times
19 currently on the Town rolls for veterans
This is truly a human services benefit. What you put forward, the town is reimbursed at a 75% rate a year later.
Currently expending an average of $11,000 per month. Hard to predict exactly how the services are requested.
Town budget is currently calling for 120,000 (versus run rate of 132,000)
MA is the only state that has a local veterans administration. We don't expect changes in reimbursement. What changes may occur to the benefits for the individuals is calculated later.
The benefit allocation does include a cost of living increase already.
Difference in requested vs recommended is due to the salary and the adjustment of the 3% increase frozen. You'll see that in all the budgets.
Effort on W.A.S.T.E.D apparently wasted!
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
After discovering an underage drinking party at 4 Beaver Court during a "party patrol" March 27, police arrested two Franklin High School students, and applied for summonses for 27 other Franklin High students, said Deputy Chief Stephan Semerjian.
Christopher N. Puopolo, 18, of 21 Thayer St., and Maxwell J. Taylor, 17, of 6 Cooper Drive, were charged with being minors in possession of alcohol and were given eight hours of community service, according to court records at Milford District Court.
The other students went before a court clerk, and their records will remain private unless the cases proceed to arraignments.
Police came across the party when they were on patrol and noticed an unusual amount of traffic coming in and out of Beaver Court, a dead-end road, Officer Jovan Bielski wrote in the police report.
Officers noticed Puopolo and Taylor taking a 30-pack of beer out of their trunk, which they tried to cover with a sweatshirt as police approached, Bielski said.
When police checked out the party, they found hard alcohol and more beer, and learned that the homeowners were not there, Bielski reported.
Read the full disturbing article in the Milford Daily News here
Review the W.A.S.T.E.D. presentation held at Franklin High School here
"come to an agreement"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
The School Committee has not yet made a decision about whether to accept the teachers union's three conditions for taking a wage freeze, said School Committee member Cora Armenio.
If accepted, the The union's proposal will save the district $1 million, which will preserve the jobs of 20 teachers, said Franklin Education Association President Chandler Creedon Jr., a psychologist at Horace Mann Middle School.
Following a three-hour meeting Monday night, the union voted to approve the a proposal put forward by the Franklin Education Association's executive board to accept a salary freeze and no course reimbursements next year in exchange for the permanent removal of five floating after-school meetings, permanent removal of the need to provide a reason for taking personal days, and the permanent requirement that no meetings be scheduled two weeks prior to the issuing of report cards.
School leaders are glad teachers agreed to freeze their pay, but they were not thrilled that the union brought those other issues into the discussion.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Read my analysis posted yesterday here
over-reliance on state aid "sounds like a ticking time bomb,"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
After 10 months of meeting, researching, and creating a five-year financial outlook, the long-range financial planning committee presented its report to Town Council last night, cautioning Franklin's finances will keep spiraling into the red if all remains status quo.
In his presentation, Vice Chairman Doug Hardesty, a resident and auditor by profession, also warned that Franklin is teetering on non-compliance status with the state in regard to net school spending. The town is on track to fall below the warning level - defined as 5 percent above the minimum - next year, which means the state will intervene and force Franklin to give more money to schools.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Read the live reporting from the Town Council meeting here
Mirage Poetry Night
What:
When:
Where:
Some proceeds from purchases made at the Barnes & Noble that day (by customers who mention Mirage during the transaction) may go towards the literary magazine.
Questions?
Interested in signing up for the slam?
Contact Editor April Crehan: fhsmirage@gmail.com
Mirage Poetry Night to benefit the
Franklin High Literary Magazine
Competitive Youth Slam
Open Mic for All Ages
When:
5:00 - 8:00 PM
APRIL 17, 2009
Where:
Barnes & Noble
270 Hartford Avenue
Bellingham, MA 02019
Exit 18 off 495 in the Stallbrook Plaza near Staples and Market Basket
Some proceeds from purchases made at the Barnes & Noble that day (by customers who mention Mirage during the transaction) may go towards the literary magazine.
Questions?
Interested in signing up for the slam?
Contact Editor April Crehan: fhsmirage@gmail.com
Town Council Mtg Smry 04/15/09
The collection of posts from the Town Council meeting 4/15/09
- Live reporting - Remainder items
- Live reporting - Fin'l Plng Comm - cont'd
- Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee repo...
- Live reporting - Mike D’Angelo
- Live reporting - Legislation - continued
- Live reporting - Rep Vallee
- Live reporting - Legislation for action
- Live reporting: Franklin Schools Strategic Plannin...
- Live reporting - Town Council - 4/15/09
Concerned about Franklin's Finances?
Concerned about Franklin's Finances? GET THE FACTS
Long-Range Financial Planning Committee
Monday, April 27th
7 PM Horace
Mann School
(Mercer Auditorium)
IT’S TIME WELL SPENT
"The community is making out very well in these times"
GateHouse News Service
Rep. James E. Vallee (D-Franklin), House Majority Leader, announced today Franklin and Medway will receive level funding for local public education, as the House Ways and Means budget was released today with Chapter 70 dollars for Franklin and Medway at heartening levels.Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Franklin’s Chapter 70 allocation totals $28,726,70, consistent with its Fiscal Year 2009 apportionment. Medway was level funded, too; the town’s allocation totals $9,230,437.
Each town is also slated to receive additional funding through a federal economic stimulus package for public education under the House Ways and Means proposal, according to Vallee. Franklin’s local aid total, with the inclusion of this funding, would exceed $31 million; Medway’s total would be nearly $12 million.
Vallee office hours in Franklin - Friday 4/17/09
This was posted on the Franklin Gazette hereFRANKLIN - State Rep. James E. Vallee, D-Franklin, will hold monthly local walk-in office hours on Friday, April 17, at two locations in his legislative district.
Vallee, or a member of his staff, will be available at the Medway town administrator’s office, 155 Village St., 9 to 10 a.m., and his Franklin office, 4 West St., 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Vallee welcomes and encourages residents to visit him during these times to voice concerns or questions they may have regarding any state-related issue. He encourages constituents unable to attend the district hours to call his State House office to schedule a more convenient appointment.
Vallee and his staff may be reached at 617-722-2600 or Rep.JamesVallee@hou.state.ma.us.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Live reporting - Remainder items
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Reminder - earth day this Saturday, the more hands the better
May 16th 8:00 - 10:00 for beautification day at the bridge downtown
June 19th - Strawberry Festival
Federal Census time, going door to door, will have identification, Police have been notified
L. OLD BUSINESS - none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Bartlett - question on the modular status, can we get that information
Feeley - yes, the Building Committee will bring that
Bartlett - I would like a vote from the Council on the endorsing the report
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS -
Zollo - thanks to the committee and others that participated, disagreements were resolved to the betterment of the report. Apr 27th meeting is critical, for as many citizens as possible to attend, If we could fill that auditorium, it doesn't matter if you come with preconceived notions or not. We need the discussion.
Doak - acknowledge that the committee did a good job with the report, we can acknowledge the problem, we have systemic structural problems, we may be able to pass an override, the regionalization, index prop 2.5%, there are no easy answers here, it will take a long time and some pain
Pfeffer - Senior Center complaining no openings in sessions in the morning, nor room to park, these are good problems
Whalen - fire station replaced building in 1902, senior center has seen an increase of 300% in utilization, those are reasons for doing the projects. One commented, "I don't remember the last time I learned so much in 90 minutes." Going forward, at least the decisions will be made in an informed basis.
Vallee - outside of regionalization I don't know what we can do.
Bartlett - for me what will come out of this, will tell our story, unbiased. As unbiased a report as could be produced. You could watch but if you have a question, it probably won't get answered unless you're there. We want your feedback. We function best when we are united.
Motion to adjourn
Reminder - earth day this Saturday, the more hands the better
May 16th 8:00 - 10:00 for beautification day at the bridge downtown
June 19th - Strawberry Festival
Federal Census time, going door to door, will have identification, Police have been notified
L. OLD BUSINESS - none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Bartlett - question on the modular status, can we get that information
Feeley - yes, the Building Committee will bring that
Bartlett - I would like a vote from the Council on the endorsing the report
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS -
Zollo - thanks to the committee and others that participated, disagreements were resolved to the betterment of the report. Apr 27th meeting is critical, for as many citizens as possible to attend, If we could fill that auditorium, it doesn't matter if you come with preconceived notions or not. We need the discussion.
Doak - acknowledge that the committee did a good job with the report, we can acknowledge the problem, we have systemic structural problems, we may be able to pass an override, the regionalization, index prop 2.5%, there are no easy answers here, it will take a long time and some pain
Pfeffer - Senior Center complaining no openings in sessions in the morning, nor room to park, these are good problems
Whalen - fire station replaced building in 1902, senior center has seen an increase of 300% in utilization, those are reasons for doing the projects. One commented, "I don't remember the last time I learned so much in 90 minutes." Going forward, at least the decisions will be made in an informed basis.
Vallee - outside of regionalization I don't know what we can do.
Bartlett - for me what will come out of this, will tell our story, unbiased. As unbiased a report as could be produced. You could watch but if you have a question, it probably won't get answered unless you're there. We want your feedback. We function best when we are united.
Motion to adjourn
Live reporting - Fin'l Plng Comm - cont'd
Page 7
Peer comparison - towns listed in appendix
spent time validating the peer group, we feel as a group it is a very good peer comparison
Avg peer town - 18% State aid vs Franklin 31%
taxes 58% town contribution vs 45% in Franklin
We are #1 in receiving State Aid, we are #29 in percent of our taxes paying for what we need
6.2% of the household in the peer towns from tax support
5.3% for Franklin
We rank 27 out of 31 towns in term of per capita municipal spending
Franklin spends 22% less than the State Avg
Looking at the efficiency at the top down side, when we rank near the bottom on almost every category, we have to be. While other towns are reacting to the crisis by cutting fat, we are close to cutting to the bone.
Page 10 in the Executive Summary, key slide on school spending and state minimum
Red line - warning line, once below you could be in trouble
Once we hit the minimum, the town will bear the burden of the deficits
Capital budget addressed on Page 11
The debt service is low, Franklin amongst the 31 towns ranks 22
We are not taking on a lot of debt even in the perception of "lots of capital" spending
Forecasted Deficit in 2014 could be 7.7 M or 11.3 M depending upon the assumptions used
The numbers don't include the high school renovation. There is a placeholder for its inclusion and it will need to be once the numbers become more real.
Inflation currently at an avg of 3.3% is different from getting to a 7-8 percent rate of inflation. The deficits would grow dramatically
Recommendations are in full report, page 21
issues can be polarizing, we want to agree on the problem
solutions can be discussed
need to develop a comprehensive multi-year plan
regionalization may be a huge opportunity but in the Northeast it has not currently been successful
Influence the legislative process, whether prop 2.5, pension reform, etc. there are legal barriers to obtaining a solution
Services are people driven, the people account for 70-75 percent of the budget
they need to be paid at a market competitive rate and yet at a sustainable rate
increase tax revenue - it would be nice to find non-Franklin sources
recreation, schools offering courses over the internet
carefully and thoroughly consider property tax overrides
override is inevitable, it will have to happen
the amount and when remains to be determined
what would be the proper timing
complex issue but it needs to be considered
there can be a credibility gap, residents can make decisions upon impressions and not upon fact
can make decisions that perhaps they wouldn't have made if they were better informed
Ownership for improving the flow of information
make it more user friendly and accessible
community forum at Horace Mann
When we can just sit down and talk with folks, now that I have talked it through, I have a better understanding and trust
tried to just present the facts
deficits will continue, there is no flexibility to deal with them as we have before
we have additional risks, i.e with the level of state aid
let's focus on agreeing on the problem
we would like the Town Council to publicly endorse the report.
we would like to see a unanimous endorsement
Doak - thanks, this has been a great deal of work
It helps us get closer to addressing the problem
our reliance on State funding, is there anything that we can do?
the forumla is calculable but the discretionary part is hard to calculate
Ramsey Curdy - part of the focus group, reviewed and commented on the Executive Summary
formed an accurate picture of the issues, the document must be quickly and effectively distributed to the town residents, discussion with those who may have a different view
this is not an abstract comment, this is about where we live
Peer comparison - towns listed in appendix
spent time validating the peer group, we feel as a group it is a very good peer comparison
Avg peer town - 18% State aid vs Franklin 31%
taxes 58% town contribution vs 45% in Franklin
We are #1 in receiving State Aid, we are #29 in percent of our taxes paying for what we need
6.2% of the household in the peer towns from tax support
5.3% for Franklin
We rank 27 out of 31 towns in term of per capita municipal spending
Franklin spends 22% less than the State Avg
Looking at the efficiency at the top down side, when we rank near the bottom on almost every category, we have to be. While other towns are reacting to the crisis by cutting fat, we are close to cutting to the bone.
Page 10 in the Executive Summary, key slide on school spending and state minimum
Red line - warning line, once below you could be in trouble
Once we hit the minimum, the town will bear the burden of the deficits
Capital budget addressed on Page 11
The debt service is low, Franklin amongst the 31 towns ranks 22
We are not taking on a lot of debt even in the perception of "lots of capital" spending
Forecasted Deficit in 2014 could be 7.7 M or 11.3 M depending upon the assumptions used
The numbers don't include the high school renovation. There is a placeholder for its inclusion and it will need to be once the numbers become more real.
Inflation currently at an avg of 3.3% is different from getting to a 7-8 percent rate of inflation. The deficits would grow dramatically
Recommendations are in full report, page 21
issues can be polarizing, we want to agree on the problem
solutions can be discussed
need to develop a comprehensive multi-year plan
regionalization may be a huge opportunity but in the Northeast it has not currently been successful
Influence the legislative process, whether prop 2.5, pension reform, etc. there are legal barriers to obtaining a solution
Services are people driven, the people account for 70-75 percent of the budget
they need to be paid at a market competitive rate and yet at a sustainable rate
increase tax revenue - it would be nice to find non-Franklin sources
recreation, schools offering courses over the internet
carefully and thoroughly consider property tax overrides
override is inevitable, it will have to happen
the amount and when remains to be determined
what would be the proper timing
complex issue but it needs to be considered
there can be a credibility gap, residents can make decisions upon impressions and not upon fact
can make decisions that perhaps they wouldn't have made if they were better informed
Ownership for improving the flow of information
make it more user friendly and accessible
community forum at Horace Mann
When we can just sit down and talk with folks, now that I have talked it through, I have a better understanding and trust
tried to just present the facts
deficits will continue, there is no flexibility to deal with them as we have before
we have additional risks, i.e with the level of state aid
let's focus on agreeing on the problem
we would like the Town Council to publicly endorse the report.
we would like to see a unanimous endorsement
Doak - thanks, this has been a great deal of work
It helps us get closer to addressing the problem
our reliance on State funding, is there anything that we can do?
the forumla is calculable but the discretionary part is hard to calculate
Ramsey Curdy - part of the focus group, reviewed and commented on the Executive Summary
formed an accurate picture of the issues, the document must be quickly and effectively distributed to the town residents, discussion with those who may have a different view
this is not an abstract comment, this is about where we live
Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee report
Note: Bartlett has arrived (so McGann no show, Mason left)
Jim Roche introduces the Financial Planning Committee report
Doug Hardesty will do the actual presentation
A copy of the presentation will be made available as soon as possible.
Pitch for Monday April 27th Town-wide forum at Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium 7:30 PM
Doug had much experience within the town with coaching sports but had not much idea on the town finances or operations. Having gone through this process I am happy with what I have learned.
Doug is a professional auditor. It is fact based, not what is felt.
They have tried to keep bias out of this. Telling the pinata story.
This report can stand up to the toughest test.
The executive summary and the draft of the full report will released in the next couple of days for all to review.
The reason we call this a "draft", while we have been diligent in obtaining feedback, we want the town council and citizens to weigh in, and potentially incorporate into the document as we go forward.
We get a lot of aid from the state, have low property taxes relative to peer towns
In every measurable category, the town and schools are low
We go into a deficit and manage our way through it somehow
It is a structural deficit. It will continue unless we take action
The projected deficits are real and significant, they will continue to occur
There are a whole host of things to do so that it is most effective
There is a premise that most citizens will not allow continued cuts
Federal and state mandates are not funded but are costly and are required
Teacher compensation; a cost of living raise and commensurate with experience, masters required within first five years
It is just the way the market is for compensating teachers, we need to get to the inflection point, we need to calculate that
Cash reserves, 7.5 million used since 2005 has been a big help, we can't do that nay more
Since 2000 we have grown 1300 students and dropped over 100 personnel
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Jim Roche introduces the Financial Planning Committee report
Doug Hardesty will do the actual presentation
A copy of the presentation will be made available as soon as possible.
Pitch for Monday April 27th Town-wide forum at Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium 7:30 PM
Doug had much experience within the town with coaching sports but had not much idea on the town finances or operations. Having gone through this process I am happy with what I have learned.
Doug is a professional auditor. It is fact based, not what is felt.
They have tried to keep bias out of this. Telling the pinata story.
This report can stand up to the toughest test.
The executive summary and the draft of the full report will released in the next couple of days for all to review.
The reason we call this a "draft", while we have been diligent in obtaining feedback, we want the town council and citizens to weigh in, and potentially incorporate into the document as we go forward.
We get a lot of aid from the state, have low property taxes relative to peer towns
In every measurable category, the town and schools are low
We go into a deficit and manage our way through it somehow
It is a structural deficit. It will continue unless we take action
The projected deficits are real and significant, they will continue to occur
There are a whole host of things to do so that it is most effective
There is a premise that most citizens will not allow continued cuts
Federal and state mandates are not funded but are costly and are required
Teacher compensation; a cost of living raise and commensurate with experience, masters required within first five years
It is just the way the market is for compensating teachers, we need to get to the inflection point, we need to calculate that
Cash reserves, 7.5 million used since 2005 has been a big help, we can't do that nay more
Since 2000 we have grown 1300 students and dropped over 100 personnel
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