Presentations
c. Cafeteria – Point of Sale Implementation – Miriam Goodman
The school serve about 2400 lunches daily for an annual amount of about $1.6 million dollars.
Students would use their pin number. For the younger students, they would use an ID card.
In future to incorporate an online payment system to allow parents to update their students accounts.
The system is anticipated to move faster once the staff and students are comfortable with the new process.
The big win is the automated reporting that comes from this.
Armenio - This has been a long time coming. The anonymity of the low income students in the process will help.
Goodman - the parents can view the purchases of the student and review them with the student to ensure proper diet.
Cafasso - how are you communicating to parents about this?
Goodman - Central office update coming out. Word coming at each school, word through the cafes.
Cafasso - Consider getting the info out through to the PCC's
Kelly - How is the balance handled at the end of the year?
Goodman - The balance carries forward. The student maintains the same ID through their time at Franklin.
Trahan - Can the parent arrange something like EasyPass?
Goodman - It may have that capability, we can look at that down the road.
Slight - cash or check in the line, how is that handled?
Goodman - Just bring it in the line, it can be entered in by the cashier.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Live reporting - School Committee resumes
The meeting resumes in public session
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly - motion, passed 7-0
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none
Announcement of what was discussed in Executive Session
Non-union all agreed without conditions
FEA would not take any action until the School Committee publicly requested
FEA would not discuss budget reductions
FEA requested to get together ASAP to review the proposal (as announced previously).
Offered via phone call
not have to provide the reason, did want to keep all 32 meetings (including the 5), did want to keep the reimbursement, did want to convey these directly to the teachers
Response back was to schedule a meeting on Thursday 4/16/09 at 7:30 AM
Creedon, Schlefke, McGovern
Clear from that meeting there would be no middle ground without consultation with each party.
Proposed joint meeting with FEA and School Committee (rejected by FEA)
Invited FEA to School Committee meeting
Final proposal to convene at 3:30 PM 4/28/09
School Committee met separately from FEA in same building
Reporting today that the FEA rejected the counter proposal, nor would they change their original proposal, nor would they meet with the School Committee.
The School Committe is not inclined to address the FEA proposal.
Town Administrator agrees with the School Committee stance.
There was no opporutnity for public comment at this time!
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly - motion, passed 7-0
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none
Announcement of what was discussed in Executive Session
Non-union all agreed without conditions
FEA would not take any action until the School Committee publicly requested
FEA would not discuss budget reductions
FEA requested to get together ASAP to review the proposal (as announced previously).
Offered via phone call
not have to provide the reason, did want to keep all 32 meetings (including the 5), did want to keep the reimbursement, did want to convey these directly to the teachers
Response back was to schedule a meeting on Thursday 4/16/09 at 7:30 AM
Creedon, Schlefke, McGovern
Clear from that meeting there would be no middle ground without consultation with each party.
Proposed joint meeting with FEA and School Committee (rejected by FEA)
Invited FEA to School Committee meeting
Final proposal to convene at 3:30 PM 4/28/09
School Committee met separately from FEA in same building
Reporting today that the FEA rejected the counter proposal, nor would they change their original proposal, nor would they meet with the School Committee.
The School Committe is not inclined to address the FEA proposal.
Town Administrator agrees with the School Committee stance.
There was no opporutnity for public comment at this time!
Live reporting - Executive session
The School Committee is still in Executive Session. It is passed their 15 minutes estimate. The longer it goes, the more interesting it becomes.
Stay tuned for a resume sometime
Stay tuned for a resume sometime
Live reporting - Teacher's proposal
The teacher's proposal previously reported was rejected by the School Committee.
As reported earlier, there were two meetings being simultaneously this afternoon. The teachers met and voted to reject the School Committee counter proposal and resubmitted their proposal unchanged.
So a stalemate is currently underway.
The School Committee received the teacher's update and are now in Executive Session likely preparing their public comment.
Stay tuned.
PS - I still have part of the School Committee meeting detailing some of the history behind the 5 meetings to write up when I get a chance.
As reported earlier, there were two meetings being simultaneously this afternoon. The teachers met and voted to reject the School Committee counter proposal and resubmitted their proposal unchanged.
So a stalemate is currently underway.
The School Committee received the teacher's update and are now in Executive Session likely preparing their public comment.
Stay tuned.
PS - I still have part of the School Committee meeting detailing some of the history behind the 5 meetings to write up when I get a chance.
Live reporting - School Committee 2nd Mtg
Attending: Armenio, Kelly, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan, Mullen, Cafasso
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - move guests and presentations up, going into executive session shortly
a. Dan Telhada – All Scholastic Award
b. Coach Carmen Colace – Coach of the Year
Motion to enter executive session with potential to return to open session
Motion approved
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - move guests and presentations up, going into executive session shortly
a. Dan Telhada – All Scholastic Award
b. Coach Carmen Colace – Coach of the Year
Motion to enter executive session with potential to return to open session
Motion approved
Live reporting - School Committee Mtg 1st
Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan
Also participating: Jeff Nutting, all the school principals, Ogden, Sabolinski, Goodman, and others from the School Administration office
The meeting opened with a recap by Jeff Roy of the events leading to this particular meeting. Briefly, after the Executive Session at the 4/14/09 meeting, Jeff notified the FEA of the School Committee's reluctance to accept the full proposal. They would accept the deferral of the 2.5% cost of living increase. They would waive the requirement on requiring a reason required for personal days for the remainder of the year. They wanted to keep the 32 meetings. They wanted to continue to provide the teacher reimbursements.
A subsequent conversation between Roy and Creedon set up a meeting for 4/16/09 7:30 AM to further review. At that meeting it was discussed setting up the 4/28/09 meetings. FEA separate from School Committee with an agreement that when something was ready for the School Committee designated intermediaries would "knock on the door".
Those two meetings are still in session.
At their request, the principals have remained in the session with them.
The School Committee meeting will return to open session at some time.
Also participating: Jeff Nutting, all the school principals, Ogden, Sabolinski, Goodman, and others from the School Administration office
The meeting opened with a recap by Jeff Roy of the events leading to this particular meeting. Briefly, after the Executive Session at the 4/14/09 meeting, Jeff notified the FEA of the School Committee's reluctance to accept the full proposal. They would accept the deferral of the 2.5% cost of living increase. They would waive the requirement on requiring a reason required for personal days for the remainder of the year. They wanted to keep the 32 meetings. They wanted to continue to provide the teacher reimbursements.
A subsequent conversation between Roy and Creedon set up a meeting for 4/16/09 7:30 AM to further review. At that meeting it was discussed setting up the 4/28/09 meetings. FEA separate from School Committee with an agreement that when something was ready for the School Committee designated intermediaries would "knock on the door".
Those two meetings are still in session.
- The FEA meeting is closed to all but union members.
- The School Committee meeting after conducting some fact finding with the principals on the history of the 5 extra meetings has now gone into Executive Session.
At their request, the principals have remained in the session with them.
The School Committee meeting will return to open session at some time.
Help avoid a train wreck?
There is an interesting confluence of meetings scheduled for Tuesday at 3:30 PM at Horace Mann.
Bottom line: These two groups have not been communicating with each other.
There are quite a few points of disagreement but the major one for me is:
The teachers feel that since the School Committee did send a letter to them asking for the salary concession, they have, in effect, opened the contract for negotiation. The three items tied by the teachers to their salary deferment were supposed to have been addressed in a side-letter after passing the current contract two years ago. For a few reasons, the most current of which is beyond the control of the individual assigned to lead the side-letter effort, resolution on these three issues has gone nowhere. As a result, these three issues were brought to the table with the salary concession and linked together.
So there seems to be a stalemate brewing.
For some reason the School Committee is hung on keeping the three items.
To the extent that they keep the three items, they will lose the million dollar concession.
Who wins?
No one, not the School Committee, not the teachers, not the children of Franklin.
In my unique position, I can not stand by and watch this train wreck occur.
Note: I am deliberately using the terms 2.5% cost of living increase deferment because that is really what it is. There are still salary increases possible for some on both the Town and School side due to "steps and lane" changes per the union contracts. In this case, the talked of "salary freeze" is a misuse of the term.
- The Teachers have scheduled to hold a union meeting. This is a closed session, open only to union members. The union will be updated on the response by the School Committee to the teachers offer of the million dollar contract concession.
- The School Committee have scheduled to hold an open meeting intending to participate in a discussion with the teachers.
Bottom line: These two groups have not been communicating with each other.
There are quite a few points of disagreement but the major one for me is:
- Contrary to what the School Committee has stated and published, the teachers union meeting of 4/13/09 did have a vote of all teachers present on a deferment of the 2.5% cost of living increase for FY 2010 without any conditions. It failed miserably.
- The vote that passed (80% for, 20% against) for was for the 2.5% cost of living deferment attached to three conditions. The three conditions have been reported in the Milford Daily News and here.
The teachers feel that since the School Committee did send a letter to them asking for the salary concession, they have, in effect, opened the contract for negotiation. The three items tied by the teachers to their salary deferment were supposed to have been addressed in a side-letter after passing the current contract two years ago. For a few reasons, the most current of which is beyond the control of the individual assigned to lead the side-letter effort, resolution on these three issues has gone nowhere. As a result, these three issues were brought to the table with the salary concession and linked together.
So there seems to be a stalemate brewing.
For some reason the School Committee is hung on keeping the three items.
To the extent that they keep the three items, they will lose the million dollar concession.
Who wins?
No one, not the School Committee, not the teachers, not the children of Franklin.
In my unique position, I can not stand by and watch this train wreck occur.
Note: I am deliberately using the terms 2.5% cost of living increase deferment because that is really what it is. There are still salary increases possible for some on both the Town and School side due to "steps and lane" changes per the union contracts. In this case, the talked of "salary freeze" is a misuse of the term.
FPC - Information Session 04/27/09
The live reporting posts for the Informational Forum held to review the Financial Planning Committee report can be found here:
Rain Barrel discount for Franklin through 5/6/09
Consider purchasing a rain barrel and help reduce storm water runoff while gaining water to use to water your plants. The rain barrels are on sale for Franklin residents through May 6th and can be picked up May 13th.
Additional info on rain barrels:
Residential irrigation can account for 40% of domestic water consumption in a given municipality. Rain barrels not only store water, they help decrease demand during the sweltering summer months.
Only ¼ inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will completely fill the typical barrel. A good formula to remember: 1 inch of rain on a 1000 sq ft roof yields 623 gallons of water. Calculate the yield of your roof by multiplying the square footage of your roof by 623 and divide by 1000.
Collection of water from rooftop runoff can provide an ample supply of this free “soft water” containing no chlorine, lime or calcium. Because it tends to have fewer sediments and dissolved salts than municipal water, rain water is ideal for planter beds for a multitude of applications, including biodynamic and organic vegetable gardens, planter beds for botanicals, indoor tropicals like ferns and orchids, automobile washing and cleaning household windows. Saving water in this manner will reduce your demand of treated tap water and save money by lowering your monthly bill.
Rain water diversion also helps decrease the burden on water treatment
Info found on the NE Rain Barrel web site.
Franklin residents can order their rain barrels here. All others can select their community to order here.
"The committee made several recommendations"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Using the parable of the boiled frog to describe the possible trajectory of Franklin services and finances, Doug Hardesty told an audience of about 100 residents the town needs to immediately tackle its recurring fiscal deficit before the damage is irreparable.
When a frog is thrown into a pot of boiling water, it'll immediately jump out, Hardesty said. When it's put in a pot of room temperature water, and the heat is slowly turned up, the change is so slow the frog doesn't notice. The frog dies before it reacts.
"That's very much the kind of thing we're worried about in Franklin," said Hardesty as he began his presentation on the long-term financial committee's plan last night at Horace Mann Middle School.
"Because we're facing this slow structural problem, it creeps up on us. The question is, what and when do we jump," said Hardesty, an auditor and one of two residents-at-large on the committee.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Book Signing - LeeRoy U Bailey, Jr - 5/2/09
LeeRoy U Bailey, Jr will be at Treesavers Book Outlet on Saturday May 2, to sign his book; A Different Perspective on How to Reach Heaven: You Must Be Born Again.
LeeRoy will be on site at Treesavers from noon to 4:00 PM. For more information you can email LeeRoy at brnagain@gmail.com or visit his website here.
LeeRoy will be on site at Treesavers from noon to 4:00 PM. For more information you can email LeeRoy at brnagain@gmail.com or visit his website here.
"teachers don't have time to get it all done"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
The School Committee intends to hammer out an agreement on wage concessions with the teachers union to save teachers' jobs today, said Chairman Jeffrey Roy.
The Franklin Education Association had proposed deferring its negotiated 2.5 percent salary increase and course reimbursements until June 30, 2010 - which would save the district $1 million - but with three conditions.
In exchange for the concessions, the union asked for the removal of five floating after-school meetings, permanent removal of the need to give a reason for personal days, and the permanent requirement that no meetings be scheduled two weeks prior to the issuing of report cards, according to a copy of the proposal.
The Franklin Education Association and School Committee are considering counter proposals for wage concessions, and will deliberate in concurrent meetings at 3:30 this afternoon at Horace Mann Middle School, said Roy.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Monday, April 27, 2009
live reporting - Q&A #2
Q - the fear that I have is that my taxes are increasing 20% but the services my kids are getting in school is going down. I am okay with paying more taxes but I need to know what that number is. Relive peoples fear. I don't know if you can do what I just asked. I know it is hard but that is what I need. These numbers are scary but with the taxes increase and the schools services being cut that doesn't help.
A - Zollo - in terms of wage earners, most people are not spending the same each year, due to a variety of reasons. Cost of gov't does not go down. Inflation doesn't go down. Costs will go up. There is a built in subsidy. Three children. Avg citizen pays 4500 taxes, per student cost is 9200. The Zollo subsidy covers police, fire, etc. I will have received in the aggregate 250,000. I could stay here forever but I'll never pay it back. What is the reason for bringing it up? If I would educate my children on my own, it would still cost me more. The demand for the twon and housing in the town. The housing thirty years ago will be sold for more now.
If we were closer to the median, we would be in a better position with the adiditonal funds.
A - Whalen - you did a great job describing the difficulty and the challenges we have here. We are a pretty efficient shop. I am a research analsyst and that is what the numbers tell me. It really all comes down to, what kind of town do we want live in?
A - Bartlett - if you look at Page 14, there is the range of the 8.5M and 12.1M.
Q - Have you factored in the assessed values going down?
A - The 2.5% doesn't apply to each individual taxe rate. It applies to the overall town rate.
A - Bartlett the 8.5M would equate to a 22% increase
Q - financial forecasts are not actional, translate to something we can relate to; i.e police or fire, etc. Don't go back and re-do it. Clarification on the health care cost savings of 1M?
A - Roche - the 1M came from the difference in the original projected cost and the recent bid. That is one time savings.
Q - Has the town investigated farming out the tax collection? Hotels, meals tax, how much will it generate? In Florida, they have an impact fee.
A - We get 100% of our taxes, even if they are late we get 14% interest on the amount late. Against the law for an impact fee, it was through out by the courts. We have proposals for the hotel/meals tax but they have not been enacted yet. It would help but not solve our problem. It will diversify our tax receipts.
Q - On the health care side, how does the Town do it?
A - We pay about 7M for all our health care. We have been very successful working with the unions. With an increase of co-pay and a decrease in premium, it makes sense. They have worked well with us.
Q - The state has more people, they must have more bargaining power.
A - Nutting, actually our plan is better than the State plan. We look at it every year.
Q - With teachers at about 60K, can you bring in somebody for less
A - working and wages are subject to bargaining conditions
Q - with the health care, is there an opportunity to work with surrounding towns if we are the lowest, that would be something to gain
A - teacher pensions are not paid for by the town. There are 106 pension systems in the Commonwealth when there should be one. No one would design a system where there are 351 communities in the state. It will be hard to change. We do things like this every year. It is not just a public thing. It takes a lot of momentum to get things done.
Q - For me, a good school is not the thing. The curriculum is the key
A - Nutting - the school committee would agree with you.
Reminder - our meetings are open meetings
Q - split tax?
A - Roche - If we do decide a split tax rate, it doesn't allow us to raise any more money.
A - Whalen - there is a decided majority on the Finance Committee and Town Council not to do so in order to encourage business to relocate here.
A - Zollo - it is worth noting that the residential versus business is 80% to 20%. We would need a more diversified tax base. The time to make your feelings known is in November at the Town Council tax hearings.
Q - page 12 - net school spending, we are descending, based upon what we know today, what are we doing to prepare?
A - This is one of the reasons we have prepared this report.
Q - We need to be more frequent. These are general statements, we need to be more specific.
Q - Why did you get to the 31? You used some in some reports but others in some reports.
A - We picked the towns were the most comparable. We also wanted to use data that anyone could check on. We chose the DOE numbers because they are available. Norfolk was excluded only because they had not submitted their numbers to the state.
Q - My point earlier was the numbers are all good,
A - You're crossing over into a very subjective area. If you're across the board lower, there must be something there.
Q - You're only getting efficiency when there is a comparison on the same services?
A - I can't tell you how we could measure our schools with Walpoles. I see them as facing eminent decline.
A - Zollo - I don't disagree at a statisical level but at a general level it is fair to say, you know reputationally how they are doing. They are not out on the curve one way or the other.
Q - Should you include the grow projections for the school for the next five years? I know it would be beneficial.
A - The numbers are available. The total at the high school is projected to be about 1700
Q - Important to have our local reps (Spilka, Brown, Vallee) look at the legislation in process.
A - thank you!
A - Zollo - in terms of wage earners, most people are not spending the same each year, due to a variety of reasons. Cost of gov't does not go down. Inflation doesn't go down. Costs will go up. There is a built in subsidy. Three children. Avg citizen pays 4500 taxes, per student cost is 9200. The Zollo subsidy covers police, fire, etc. I will have received in the aggregate 250,000. I could stay here forever but I'll never pay it back. What is the reason for bringing it up? If I would educate my children on my own, it would still cost me more. The demand for the twon and housing in the town. The housing thirty years ago will be sold for more now.
If we were closer to the median, we would be in a better position with the adiditonal funds.
A - Whalen - you did a great job describing the difficulty and the challenges we have here. We are a pretty efficient shop. I am a research analsyst and that is what the numbers tell me. It really all comes down to, what kind of town do we want live in?
A - Bartlett - if you look at Page 14, there is the range of the 8.5M and 12.1M.
Q - Have you factored in the assessed values going down?
A - The 2.5% doesn't apply to each individual taxe rate. It applies to the overall town rate.
A - Bartlett the 8.5M would equate to a 22% increase
Q - financial forecasts are not actional, translate to something we can relate to; i.e police or fire, etc. Don't go back and re-do it. Clarification on the health care cost savings of 1M?
A - Roche - the 1M came from the difference in the original projected cost and the recent bid. That is one time savings.
Q - Has the town investigated farming out the tax collection? Hotels, meals tax, how much will it generate? In Florida, they have an impact fee.
A - We get 100% of our taxes, even if they are late we get 14% interest on the amount late. Against the law for an impact fee, it was through out by the courts. We have proposals for the hotel/meals tax but they have not been enacted yet. It would help but not solve our problem. It will diversify our tax receipts.
Q - On the health care side, how does the Town do it?
A - We pay about 7M for all our health care. We have been very successful working with the unions. With an increase of co-pay and a decrease in premium, it makes sense. They have worked well with us.
Q - The state has more people, they must have more bargaining power.
A - Nutting, actually our plan is better than the State plan. We look at it every year.
Q - With teachers at about 60K, can you bring in somebody for less
A - working and wages are subject to bargaining conditions
Q - with the health care, is there an opportunity to work with surrounding towns if we are the lowest, that would be something to gain
A - teacher pensions are not paid for by the town. There are 106 pension systems in the Commonwealth when there should be one. No one would design a system where there are 351 communities in the state. It will be hard to change. We do things like this every year. It is not just a public thing. It takes a lot of momentum to get things done.
Q - For me, a good school is not the thing. The curriculum is the key
A - Nutting - the school committee would agree with you.
Reminder - our meetings are open meetings
Q - split tax?
A - Roche - If we do decide a split tax rate, it doesn't allow us to raise any more money.
A - Whalen - there is a decided majority on the Finance Committee and Town Council not to do so in order to encourage business to relocate here.
A - Zollo - it is worth noting that the residential versus business is 80% to 20%. We would need a more diversified tax base. The time to make your feelings known is in November at the Town Council tax hearings.
Q - page 12 - net school spending, we are descending, based upon what we know today, what are we doing to prepare?
A - This is one of the reasons we have prepared this report.
Q - We need to be more frequent. These are general statements, we need to be more specific.
Q - Why did you get to the 31? You used some in some reports but others in some reports.
A - We picked the towns were the most comparable. We also wanted to use data that anyone could check on. We chose the DOE numbers because they are available. Norfolk was excluded only because they had not submitted their numbers to the state.
Q - My point earlier was the numbers are all good,
A - You're crossing over into a very subjective area. If you're across the board lower, there must be something there.
Q - You're only getting efficiency when there is a comparison on the same services?
A - I can't tell you how we could measure our schools with Walpoles. I see them as facing eminent decline.
A - Zollo - I don't disagree at a statisical level but at a general level it is fair to say, you know reputationally how they are doing. They are not out on the curve one way or the other.
Q - Should you include the grow projections for the school for the next five years? I know it would be beneficial.
A - The numbers are available. The total at the high school is projected to be about 1700
Q - Important to have our local reps (Spilka, Brown, Vallee) look at the legislation in process.
A - thank you!
Live reporting - Q&A
Q - commendation on report, job well done. concerning peer data, if we raise our taxes, is there a guarantee that the state won't reduce and we are back where we started
A - Whalen, put the numbers together, don't think the state looks at that statistic. we should be a below average tax burden with an above average benefit
A - Zollo - if the state minimum is hit, the state will help us determine how the money will be spent. Federal stats say we should have more police/fire but that doesn't matter to the state. It does to the school side of the budget.
Q - should include the school building issues into the 5 year plan otherwise, it wouldn't be a complete report. should update this quarterly
A -those items aren't quantified but they are addressed
Q - those items need to be there.
A - from the committee standpoint, those items are being looked at, there are no firm estimates for those factors to incorporate
A - Cameron - also look at the full report, there are additional details there. We focused on how the funding works for this executive report. We recognize how important this is.
A - Hardesty - information needs to get out, the details should be available when those decisions need to be made.
A - Zollo - the committee debated internally, we will come up with some alternatives, the relaity is what it is. The Town needs to be aware of other capital expenses. The funds for those could come from two sources, (1) Debt exclusion (expires when debt is paid off) (2) override (raises tax permanently). Differences between town fical funding options. But not out of the operational budget.
A - Whalen - in comparison with our peers, we are below the peers in debt service
A - Roche - transparency, dashboard on the website, but once the budget is set, the budget numbers don't really change. In most cases, the state number once given is set, unless there is unique circumstances, the state doesn't take away the money.
- side note - provided advice to the committee that some of the comments are coming across as defensive of the report when they should be soliciting feedback from the community
Q - when is the decision coming on the high school
A - Nutting - the building is not in that bad shape compared to other schools they have been into. We don't know when they will committee. They will not commit at this point. In six-nine months, maybe they'll give us an answer. We don't have it and we are continuing to pursue it.
A - Whalen, put the numbers together, don't think the state looks at that statistic. we should be a below average tax burden with an above average benefit
A - Zollo - if the state minimum is hit, the state will help us determine how the money will be spent. Federal stats say we should have more police/fire but that doesn't matter to the state. It does to the school side of the budget.
Q - should include the school building issues into the 5 year plan otherwise, it wouldn't be a complete report. should update this quarterly
A -those items aren't quantified but they are addressed
Q - those items need to be there.
A - from the committee standpoint, those items are being looked at, there are no firm estimates for those factors to incorporate
A - Cameron - also look at the full report, there are additional details there. We focused on how the funding works for this executive report. We recognize how important this is.
A - Hardesty - information needs to get out, the details should be available when those decisions need to be made.
A - Zollo - the committee debated internally, we will come up with some alternatives, the relaity is what it is. The Town needs to be aware of other capital expenses. The funds for those could come from two sources, (1) Debt exclusion (expires when debt is paid off) (2) override (raises tax permanently). Differences between town fical funding options. But not out of the operational budget.
A - Whalen - in comparison with our peers, we are below the peers in debt service
A - Roche - transparency, dashboard on the website, but once the budget is set, the budget numbers don't really change. In most cases, the state number once given is set, unless there is unique circumstances, the state doesn't take away the money.
- side note - provided advice to the committee that some of the comments are coming across as defensive of the report when they should be soliciting feedback from the community
Q - when is the decision coming on the high school
A - Nutting - the building is not in that bad shape compared to other schools they have been into. We don't know when they will committee. They will not commit at this point. In six-nine months, maybe they'll give us an answer. We don't have it and we are continuing to pursue it.
live reporting - Doug continues
example of state unfunded mandate - wind instruments are now required to be professionally cleaned before reuse.
How has Franklin responded?
Impact of current problem
forecasted deficits are structural, not directly due to the recession
FY 2010 forecast was for a deficit of 4.5 million
With other one time items, the deficit currently is $750,000
Where does this leave us?
Town expenses
slide of comparison to the other 31 towns
School spending
slide of numbers directly from the State Dept of Education web site
Net school spending slide
the long curve is going the wrong way
Impact of capital projects on Town Budget
state aid grow of 3% - 8.5 million deficit
state aid flat - 12.1 million deficit
state aid declines 3% - 15.3 million deficit
What can we do about this?
explanation of steps and lanes on teacher side of the compensation
Increase tax revenue
recap of previous topics
stay tuned for Q&A
How has Franklin responded?
- reduce head count and cut employee benefits
- streamlined operations
- enhanced revenues
- spent cash reserves ($7.5 million)
Impact of current problem
forecasted deficits are structural, not directly due to the recession
FY 2010 forecast was for a deficit of 4.5 million
With other one time items, the deficit currently is $750,000
Where does this leave us?
- We depend more upon state aid than other towns
- Our property tax burden is less than other towns
- Our cash reserves are stable and at the right level
Town expenses
- Franklin ranks 27th out of 31 comparable peer towns in per capita municipal spending
- Recent capital projects have minimal effect on operating budget
- spending per pupil 22% less than state average
- net school spending rapidly approaching state minimum
- teacher compensation remains "middle of the pack"
- Schools have cut non-teacher costs sharply
slide of comparison to the other 31 towns
School spending
slide of numbers directly from the State Dept of Education web site
Net school spending slide
the long curve is going the wrong way
Impact of capital projects on Town Budget
- Capital dollars can not be used for operational expenses
- Capital debt burden is about 2% of the total Town budget
state aid grow of 3% - 8.5 million deficit
state aid flat - 12.1 million deficit
state aid declines 3% - 15.3 million deficit
What can we do about this?
- Agree on the problem
- Develop a comprehensive multi-year plan
- Improve transparency and accessibility if information
- explore regionalization in addition to Library, recreation
- preserve state aid
- address unfunded mandates
- pension reform
explanation of steps and lanes on teacher side of the compensation
Increase tax revenue
- find revenue from non-Franklin resources
- assess need for override and debt exclusion - 5 year horizon
- look to soften impact for low or fixed income households
- assign ownership for improving the flow of info
- communicate more effectively with citizens
- preserve credibility
recap of previous topics
stay tuned for Q&A
Live reporting - Doug Hardesty
Committee addresses the problem, trying to boil it down to simple facts on where we have been, and where we are going.
free of bias, free of clutter
- be sure to follow along the presentation -
Boiled frog analogy - water in pan, turn heat on, put frog in pan, he'll jump out. Another pan, same amount of water, same frog, turn heat on gradually, the water will heat up and the frog will boil. The slow change was not noticeable and couldn't be avoided.
Similar to the Franklin finances, the problems have been here for years.
Franklin at a glance slide
Franklin at a glance - General Fund Revenues
clarification on this presentation is the executive summary with a couple of extra slides
the full report is available on the town web site
- rechecked the head count quickly, approx 150 people in the auditorium
free of bias, free of clutter
- be sure to follow along the presentation -
Boiled frog analogy - water in pan, turn heat on, put frog in pan, he'll jump out. Another pan, same amount of water, same frog, turn heat on gradually, the water will heat up and the frog will boil. The slow change was not noticeable and couldn't be avoided.
Similar to the Franklin finances, the problems have been here for years.
Franklin at a glance slide
Franklin at a glance - General Fund Revenues
clarification on this presentation is the executive summary with a couple of extra slides
the full report is available on the town web site
- rechecked the head count quickly, approx 150 people in the auditorium
Live reporting - Info Forum - Part 1
Financial Planning Committee members: Bartlett, Trahan, Cameron, Zollo, Whalen, Hardesty, Roche, Wilschek (Kelly missing)
Jim Roche, Committee Chair opens with remarks and introductions
About 100 in audience as we get underway
Doug Hardesty starts doing the full presentation
Jim Roche, Committee Chair opens with remarks and introductions
About 100 in audience as we get underway
Doug Hardesty starts doing the full presentation
Live reporting - Informational Forum 4/27/09
Preparations underway, folks are gathering
At Horace Mann/Thomas Mercer Auditorium for the presentation and discussion of the Financial Planning Committee report
Click through to the Franklin Town website to view and download the draft report of the Financial Planning Committee here
At Horace Mann/Thomas Mercer Auditorium for the presentation and discussion of the Financial Planning Committee report
Click through to the Franklin Town website to view and download the draft report of the Financial Planning Committee here
Questions for the Forum
If you don't have questions for the discussion this evening on the long term plan, here are a few to help get you started:
Click through to the Franklin Town website to view and download the draft report of the Financial Planning Committee here
- Page 12, the color bars are not labeled, what do they represent?
- How does a salary "freeze" still allow for increases due to step and lane changes?
- Which regionalization effort will bring the best dollar savings? Library and recreation efforts are small dollars.
- What unfunded mandates should be challenged to improve our expenses?
- If overrides are in our future, how many? when? and how big do they need to be? to get us out of this mess?
- Is the Town Council committed to keep this long range plan up to date (since previous efforts apparently failed)?
- Will the Town develop a "capital budget" as the auditors recently recommended?
Click through to the Franklin Town website to view and download the draft report of the Financial Planning Committee here
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
You can view the report here
"overrides are going to become part of Franklin's future"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
Town councilors say they're not surprised at Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting's recent projection of a $5 to $6 million deficit in 2011, but for the most part, are too focused on getting through this budget cycle to start strategizing.
"It's so far off at this point. In my opinion, it shouldn't even be a topic of conversation. We need to get through this budget and see where we are," said Town Council Chairman Christopher Feeley.
There are many variables - like the possibility of getting revenue from utility pole taxes and local hotels and meals taxes - that could dramatically change Nutting's projection between now and next budget season, Feeley said.
"We need to be concerned about it, but too many things could change," he said.
Councilors Stephen Whalen and Scott Mason both said Nutting's projections are always "extremely accurate."
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
School Committee Agenda - 4/28/09
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: Maureen Barker is on vacation – the 4-14-09 minutes will be approved at the next meeting (5-12-09).
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none
2. Guests/Presentations
a. Dan Telhada – All Scholastic Award
b. Coach Carmen Colace – Coach of the Year
c. Cafeteria – Point of Sale Implementation – Miriam Goodman
3. Discussion Only Items
Budget to Actual
FY10 Budget
4. Action Items:
a. I recommend budget transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,500.00 from the Oak Street PCC for nurses and bus fees for upcoming field trips.
c. I recommend approval of the ASMS 8th grade trip to Conn. River Valley and Eastern NY on May 1, 2009.
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 12 cases of copy paper for the Franklin Public Schools from Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Johnson.
e. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $4,200.00 from the ASMS PCC to pay for two 8th grade field trip coach buses.
f. I recommend declaring the graphic arts classroom modular at FHS as surplus.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Using Data to Monitor Student Achievement
b. Best Buddies Prom
c. Bicycle Racks
d. FHS Modular Classroom
e. Implementation of Point of Sale Technology / Food Service
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
8. Adjourn
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: Maureen Barker is on vacation – the 4-14-09 minutes will be approved at the next meeting (5-12-09).
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none
2. Guests/Presentations
a. Dan Telhada – All Scholastic Award
b. Coach Carmen Colace – Coach of the Year
c. Cafeteria – Point of Sale Implementation – Miriam Goodman
3. Discussion Only Items
Budget to Actual
FY10 Budget
4. Action Items:
a. I recommend budget transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,500.00 from the Oak Street PCC for nurses and bus fees for upcoming field trips.
c. I recommend approval of the ASMS 8th grade trip to Conn. River Valley and Eastern NY on May 1, 2009.
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 12 cases of copy paper for the Franklin Public Schools from Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Johnson.
e. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $4,200.00 from the ASMS PCC to pay for two 8th grade field trip coach buses.
f. I recommend declaring the graphic arts classroom modular at FHS as surplus.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Using Data to Monitor Student Achievement
b. Best Buddies Prom
c. Bicycle Racks
d. FHS Modular Classroom
e. Implementation of Point of Sale Technology / Food Service
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
8. Adjourn
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Franklin kindergarten information nights schedule
This updated the schedule previously published here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/03/kindergarten-information-night-schedule.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/03/kindergarten-information-night-schedule.html
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 4/26/09
Parents of children who will be attending kindergarten in the fall are invited to attend the Kindergarten Information Night at their particular school.
Following are dates and times for sessions (parents only) revised from earlier publications:
J.F.Kennedy Elementary School, Thursday, April 30, 6:30 p.m.
Parmenter Elementary, Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m.
Jefferson Elementary, Wednesday, May 20, 6 p.m.
Helen Keller Elementary, Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 p.m.
Davis Thayer Elementary, Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m.
Oak Street Elementary , Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m.
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When a Community Loses
this article discusses the impact of high school sports fees
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Boston Globe -- Globe Magazine by Brion O'Connor on 4/25/09
Eight years ago, when my daughters were in diapers, I took an assistant coaching post with the Hamilton-Wenham High School hockey team. It was one of those rare moments when life allows you to repay a debt. I lost my dad before eighth grade. Sports kept me heading in the right direction despite the upheaval of puberty. I had a ...Things you can do from here:
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"She gets the job done without fanfare"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
Paula Mullen, a Franklin resident and vice chairwoman of the School Committee, was one of 100 women in the state named a 2009 Unsung Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.
She will be recognized by the commission for outstanding contributions to her community in a ceremony on May 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the State House in Boston.
School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy nominated Mullen.
Roy thought she was "a perfect fit," especially because she hates the limelight, but deserves the recognition for all the volunteer work she does.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
five hours is worth more than $1 million
According to a copy of the proposal, the union demanded the following conditions: the permanent removal of five floating after-school meetings, permanent removal of the need to provide a reason for personal days, and the permanent requirement that no after-school meetings be scheduled two weeks prior to the issuing of report cards.From the Milford Daily News article on the School Committee meeting 4/14/09.
The citizens of Franklin will find out, hopefully soon, what the cost of 5 hours of meetings are. Is it worth 1 million dollars? Or is it worth more?
The teachers union in a vote to accept the 2.5 percent wage freeze for the 2009-2010 school year attached three minor conditions to the proposal.
To remove from their contract, five floating after school meetings. There already are three mandatory meetings each month for the teachers at each school. Is there really a need for these five floating meetings? I hope not.
To remove the requirement for providing a reason for taking two "personal" days. There are only two, you use them or loose them. They are already defined "personal". Does the School Dept really need to know the personal reason? I think that is too much of a controlling issue.
To add a requirement not to schedule after-school meetings in the two weeks prior to report cards. This seems reasonable. The time before report cards should be focused on preparing the accurate information for students and parents/guardians on the progress made during the marking period.
Why this was not discussed during the meeting, I can understand given the nature of the conversation that did take place between Chandler Creedon and the School Committee. They were talking about the same topic, using different words, not really answering each others questions. For me, there is a communication issue there.
This was originally posted here on Wednesday April 15, 2009.
Letter from Ed Cafasso
Hello Everyone!
I hope you enjoyed school vacation week, this fabulous weekend weather and, of course, the Red Sox-Yankees series… Here’s an update on Franklin’s school issues.
Long-Range Financial Planning Committee: I hope all of you will do your best to attend Monday night’s town meeting regarding the findings of a year-long effort to perform an in-depth analysis of Franklin’s financial outlook for the next five years.
The findings of this group of volunteers offer you a comprehensive look at the challenges that will have a direct impact on your property value, your tax rate, the quality of your schools, and your access to municipal services.
The public forum scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Mercer Auditorium in the Horace Mann Middle School is a unique opportunity for you to gain better insight into the various forces driving the town’s finances and, more importantly, to ask questions of your elected officials about what the findings mean for you, your family and your fellow citizens.
I hope to see you there and encourage you to read a preview of the Committee’s draft report at: http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01496EEB-000F8513. (The meeting also will be televised on live local government access channel 11 for Comcast subscribers only.)
FY 2010 Franklin School Budget: As you may have heard, the Franklin teachers union recently voted to accept a wage freeze for Fiscal Year 2010 but attached a series of conditions – essentially re-opening contract issues that the union had previously voted to abandon.
This saga began in December when the School Committee asked Chandler Creedon, president of the Franklin Education Association (FEA), to discuss a potential freeze with his membership. At various points during the winter, we were assured that the union was considering the idea. Finally, three months later, Mr. Creedon asked the Committee for a letter officially requesting that they consider a freeze. Our letter acknowledged the stellar work of our teaching staff, as reflected in our student’s college acceptances and academic performance. It also noted that, for most of this decade, the School Committee has worked hard to avoid reductions in teaching staff by steadily reduced spending on other services and imposing new and higher fees for busing, athletics, and student activities, to name a few. The savings generated from these decisions have been poured directly into the classroom, to recruit and retain top quality teachers, to support a strong curriculum and to maintain appropriate class sizes. Parents and community groups, like the Franklin Education Foundation, also have worked hard to contribute more to classrooms through personal generosity and the fundraising efforts of the PCCs.
On April 13, Mr. Creedon led a meeting of FEA members who were not allowed to vote on a wage freeze alone – only on a motion intentionally written to tie the freeze to new demands regarding personal days, meeting time and other issues. It is worth noting that all other major town unions have agreed to a wage a freeze. None have used Franklin’s budget problems to re-open contract negotiations.
The School Committee remains committed to work with FEA members to come up with a solution acceptable to both sides. We have repeatedly asked Mr. Creedon to make public his alleged plan for budget efficiencies. We also have asked to meet with directly with union members. To date, Mr. Creedon has refused to meet with our negotiating committee or to let us talk to his membership. The Committee will continue these good faith efforts at our meeting this Tuesday in the hopes of reaching an agreement that would avoid massive teacher lay-offs in the months ahead and help close the deficit projected for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
You can read the latest news coverage regarding this issue at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1774896641/No-decision-on-Franklin-teachers-unions-conditions?view=print
2010-11 School Calendar: School administrators have presented two options for the academic year that begins late in the summer of next year. In one option, classes would begin Sept. 7, 2010 – the day after Labor Day – and reach the 180-day marked required by the state on June 22. In the second option, classes would begin Sept. 1 – five days before Labor Day – and reach the 180-day mark on June 17th.
As you recall, hundreds of parents surveyed last year overwhelmingly asked for the school year to begin after Labor Day, while teachers voted overwhelmingly in opposition. Parents are encouraged to examine both options and to express their views. The fact that Labor Day occurs exceptionally late in 2010 is a complicating factor. It’s also important to keep in mind that the last day of school could be pushed further into June by snow days.
You can view both options at http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/calendar/default.htm
As our community heads into the thick of important financial hearings and budget decisions, it is critically important for elected officials to hear citizen ideas and feedback. I hope you will attend Monday’s public forum and share your thoughts. I also urge everyone to stay close to the budget process this year by paying attention to School Committee, Town Council and Finance Committee meetings. It is also important for parents and guardians to pursue a frank discussion of budget issues with your principals and your school PCCs.
These e-mails are provided as a constituent service. I try to distribute at least one e-mail update each month during the school year, as issues warrant. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails or if you no longer wish to receive these e-mails, please let me know and I will remove you from the distribution list. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please send along their e-mail address.
Thank you!
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
edcafasso @ comcast.net
I hope you enjoyed school vacation week, this fabulous weekend weather and, of course, the Red Sox-Yankees series… Here’s an update on Franklin’s school issues.
Long-Range Financial Planning Committee: I hope all of you will do your best to attend Monday night’s town meeting regarding the findings of a year-long effort to perform an in-depth analysis of Franklin’s financial outlook for the next five years.
The findings of this group of volunteers offer you a comprehensive look at the challenges that will have a direct impact on your property value, your tax rate, the quality of your schools, and your access to municipal services.
The public forum scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Mercer Auditorium in the Horace Mann Middle School is a unique opportunity for you to gain better insight into the various forces driving the town’s finances and, more importantly, to ask questions of your elected officials about what the findings mean for you, your family and your fellow citizens.
I hope to see you there and encourage you to read a preview of the Committee’s draft report at: http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01496EEB-000F8513. (The meeting also will be televised on live local government access channel 11 for Comcast subscribers only.)
FY 2010 Franklin School Budget: As you may have heard, the Franklin teachers union recently voted to accept a wage freeze for Fiscal Year 2010 but attached a series of conditions – essentially re-opening contract issues that the union had previously voted to abandon.
This saga began in December when the School Committee asked Chandler Creedon, president of the Franklin Education Association (FEA), to discuss a potential freeze with his membership. At various points during the winter, we were assured that the union was considering the idea. Finally, three months later, Mr. Creedon asked the Committee for a letter officially requesting that they consider a freeze. Our letter acknowledged the stellar work of our teaching staff, as reflected in our student’s college acceptances and academic performance. It also noted that, for most of this decade, the School Committee has worked hard to avoid reductions in teaching staff by steadily reduced spending on other services and imposing new and higher fees for busing, athletics, and student activities, to name a few. The savings generated from these decisions have been poured directly into the classroom, to recruit and retain top quality teachers, to support a strong curriculum and to maintain appropriate class sizes. Parents and community groups, like the Franklin Education Foundation, also have worked hard to contribute more to classrooms through personal generosity and the fundraising efforts of the PCCs.
On April 13, Mr. Creedon led a meeting of FEA members who were not allowed to vote on a wage freeze alone – only on a motion intentionally written to tie the freeze to new demands regarding personal days, meeting time and other issues. It is worth noting that all other major town unions have agreed to a wage a freeze. None have used Franklin’s budget problems to re-open contract negotiations.
The School Committee remains committed to work with FEA members to come up with a solution acceptable to both sides. We have repeatedly asked Mr. Creedon to make public his alleged plan for budget efficiencies. We also have asked to meet with directly with union members. To date, Mr. Creedon has refused to meet with our negotiating committee or to let us talk to his membership. The Committee will continue these good faith efforts at our meeting this Tuesday in the hopes of reaching an agreement that would avoid massive teacher lay-offs in the months ahead and help close the deficit projected for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
You can read the latest news coverage regarding this issue at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1774896641/No-decision-on-Franklin-teachers-unions-conditions?view=print
2010-11 School Calendar: School administrators have presented two options for the academic year that begins late in the summer of next year. In one option, classes would begin Sept. 7, 2010 – the day after Labor Day – and reach the 180-day marked required by the state on June 22. In the second option, classes would begin Sept. 1 – five days before Labor Day – and reach the 180-day mark on June 17th.
As you recall, hundreds of parents surveyed last year overwhelmingly asked for the school year to begin after Labor Day, while teachers voted overwhelmingly in opposition. Parents are encouraged to examine both options and to express their views. The fact that Labor Day occurs exceptionally late in 2010 is a complicating factor. It’s also important to keep in mind that the last day of school could be pushed further into June by snow days.
You can view both options at http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/calendar/default.htm
As our community heads into the thick of important financial hearings and budget decisions, it is critically important for elected officials to hear citizen ideas and feedback. I hope you will attend Monday’s public forum and share your thoughts. I also urge everyone to stay close to the budget process this year by paying attention to School Committee, Town Council and Finance Committee meetings. It is also important for parents and guardians to pursue a frank discussion of budget issues with your principals and your school PCCs.
These e-mails are provided as a constituent service. I try to distribute at least one e-mail update each month during the school year, as issues warrant. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails or if you no longer wish to receive these e-mails, please let me know and I will remove you from the distribution list. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please send along their e-mail address.
Thank you!
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
edcafasso @ comcast.net
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Charles River Cleanup Heros!
This group came back to refresh supplies to clean up the Charles River Watershed, originally uploaded by shersteve.
This group of four came back to refresh their supplies to clean up the Charles River Watershed during the special clean up today.
In green t-shirts left to right (If I have the order correctly) Michelle, Shawn, Alex, and Melisa. David Dobrzynski wore the yellow t-shirt and was coordinating the activities at the Whole Foods in Bellingham.
Thanks for the work you did today!
PS - If I have the order incorrect, please let me know and I can make the change.
Updated to properly identify Shawn and Alex.
"They're anxious and waiting"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
After making the wage and health care concessions, Franklin's public employees are still on edge, some waiting for the dreaded pink slip.
Hearing Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting's projection of another major deficit next year - up to $6 million - rekindled fear among police, said Police union Vice President Robert Burchill.
Morale at the station is "OK at the moment," he said, but officers are concerned about what's going to happen next year.
"Next year's budget is way out of whack again. We already made concessions for the town to save jobs, figuring that was the end-all, figuring things can't get worse. I guess they can get worse," Burchill said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Come to the Town Forum on Monday, April 27th, 7:00 PM to discuss the Financial Planning Committee's report.
Financial Planning Report - available
Click through to the Franklin Town website to view and download the draft report of the Financial Planning Committee here
The summary of the FPC meetings this year as well as the Focus Group's feedback can be found here:
This report will be the subject of the open forum meeting Monday at 7:00 PM at the Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium.
The summary of the FPC meetings this year as well as the Focus Group's feedback can be found here:
- Financial Plng Comm 01/15/09
- Financial Plng Comm 02/05/09
- Financial Plng Comm 02/19/09
- Financial Plng Comm 03/05/09
- Financial Plng Comm 03/12/09
- Financial Plng Comm 03/26/09
- Financial Plng Comm 04/02/09
- Financial Plng Comm 04/23/09
- Focus Group Collection
This report will be the subject of the open forum meeting Monday at 7:00 PM at the Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium.
HMEA's 8th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run
HMEA's 8th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2009. Our friends at EMC2 Corporation, 50 Constitution Boulevard, Franklin, MA have again allowed us to hold this premier fundraising event on their grounds. Gail Huff from WCVB-TV Channel 5 News will once again be our host.To register to walk please visit firstgiving.com/hmea. Here you can also set-up your own personal fundraising page that can be e-mailed to all your family, friends and co-workers asking them to support your efforts to raise funds for HMEA.
If you want to participate in the road race please register at active.com/hmea. OR, if you prefer you can complete your registration form online, print it and mail directly to HMEA along with your registration fee(s). You could also e-mail it back to hmea@hmea.org. Click here for the registration form.
Interested in becoming a sponsor of this fun-filled family day event? To learn what sponsorships are available click here for the Sponsorship Opportunities flyer.
More information will be available shortly. In the meantime if have any questions please call Linda Conley at 508.298.1107 or Doug MacPherson at 508.298.1105.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Franklin Downtown Partnership invites crafters to Strawberry Festival
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 4/24/09
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is planning its June 19 Strawberry Festival, and is inviting crafters to send in their registration by May 1.
The festival will take place 1 to 6 p.m. at the West Central Street parking lot, next to Rick's restaurant. Booth fees are $50 for non-food vendors. After May 1, booth fees are $75. Space is limited.
Vendors should contact festival chairman Mary Graff at 773-5504 or mgraff@berryinsurance.com.
Anyone interested in joining the Partnership or sponsoring this event should contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership Executive Director at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or 774-571-3109.
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Columbine lessons still resonate
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin School Committee by Jeffrey Roy on 4/24/09
My vacation week read this year was Dave Cullen's excellent work entitled Columbine. It's an indelible portrait of the killers, the victims, and the community that suffered one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. This book was released nearly 10 years after the event, and is a riveting page turner which [...]
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"the problem is real, it's growing, and it's perpetual"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
At its last meeting before presenting its report to the public, the long-range financial planning committee's top concern was making sure they can draw a large crowd.
In an effort to ensure people attend the forum at Horace Mann Middle School on Monday at 7 p.m., committee members debated using the townwide calling system to invite residents to come.
Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting argued that the system must only be used for emergencies. If it is used for announcements, nobody will listen when a "real emergency comes," Nutting said.
Councilor Stephen Whalen emphatically insisted that there is no more important issue in town than its recurring deficit and the damaging impact it can and has wrought.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
Financial Plng Comm 04/23/09
The live reporting from the Financial Planning Committee meeting of 4/23/09 can be found here
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Live reporting - FPC
Clarification on average annual debt versus actual.
Page 5 of the executive summary, remove the reference to "outsource", it hasn't really been done to amount to much. There has mostly been elimination not outsourcing.
Need to adjust the deficit to ensure the forecast agrees with FY 10. Jeff and Doug to finalize the numbers as close as they can. The numbers may still change but we want to be to in the ball park and not an order of magnitude off.
Medical trends go at double digit growth so we still need to forecast accordingly.
The one-time savings are primarily associated with what was forecasted versus what can get into the budget.
Should we address the teacher retirement as it is not funded by the town? Yes, need to find a place appropriately.
Need to assign responsibilities for computer, screen projection (Jeff)
Microphone one at stage, one each aisle (Jeff)
Go through the executive summary
Discussion on using the connect-cty to notify the town of the meeting Monday night. School system will likely be used to notify the school community.
Discussion on confirmation of broadcasting via cable. Not confirmed yet.
Whole object here is that the problem is real, it is growing, it is systemic.
Use a dashboard on the web to show what the numbers are, they may change over time. It needs to be reflected as what changed and why, not that they "found money".
Page 5 of the executive summary, remove the reference to "outsource", it hasn't really been done to amount to much. There has mostly been elimination not outsourcing.
Need to adjust the deficit to ensure the forecast agrees with FY 10. Jeff and Doug to finalize the numbers as close as they can. The numbers may still change but we want to be to in the ball park and not an order of magnitude off.
Medical trends go at double digit growth so we still need to forecast accordingly.
The one-time savings are primarily associated with what was forecasted versus what can get into the budget.
Should we address the teacher retirement as it is not funded by the town? Yes, need to find a place appropriately.
Need to assign responsibilities for computer, screen projection (Jeff)
Microphone one at stage, one each aisle (Jeff)
Go through the executive summary
Discussion on using the connect-cty to notify the town of the meeting Monday night. School system will likely be used to notify the school community.
Discussion on confirmation of broadcasting via cable. Not confirmed yet.
Whole object here is that the problem is real, it is growing, it is systemic.
Use a dashboard on the web to show what the numbers are, they may change over time. It needs to be reflected as what changed and why, not that they "found money".
Live reporting - Financial Plng - 4/23/09
Attending: Roche, Bartlett, Hardesty, Nutting, Cameron, Trahan, Whalen, Wilschek
Absent: Kelly, Ogden, Zollo
Approved minutes of 4/2/09, 4/9/09 meeting
Review of new numbers to show decline in town employees since 1999 versus population increase since that same time.
Discussion on new slide which tries to get at the projected deficit for this year. Too much is still in float, leave out the revenue numbers. Focus on the one-time adjustments because that puts us in the hole to start out in FY 2011.
Discussion on freeze versus deferral. Deferral is more accurate.
Absent: Kelly, Ogden, Zollo
Approved minutes of 4/2/09, 4/9/09 meeting
Review of new numbers to show decline in town employees since 1999 versus population increase since that same time.
Discussion on new slide which tries to get at the projected deficit for this year. Too much is still in float, leave out the revenue numbers. Focus on the one-time adjustments because that puts us in the hole to start out in FY 2011.
Discussion on freeze versus deferral. Deferral is more accurate.
Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee - 4/23/09
The meeting was rescheduled to start at 7:30 PM.
fuel assistance
Seniors, veterans, all it takes
Is one phone call with Bob
To get it started
What is a sherku?
Call Bob who?
You can call Bob Fahey at the Franklin Senior Center. He and I had a good fact filled conversation on Wednesday and I'll have more to write about the assistance he provides guidance on for Franklin's seniors and veterans over the next several days.
For other sherku celebrating this National Poetry Month you can visit quiet poet here
School cuts put libraries in danger
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Rachel Lebeaux, Globe Correspondent on 4/22/09
A budget squeeze is forcing Franklin officials to consider laying off school librarians as one measure toward closing its deficit. It is seen as a grim possibility, one that other communities have also faced.Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Boston Globe -- Globe West using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
10th Annual Charles River Earth Day Clean Up
The 10th Annual Charles River Earth Day Clean Up will be held this Saturday (4/25/09) from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon all along the Charles River and its tributaries.
David Dobrzynski is the site supervisor for the Bellingham/Franklin/Medway/Millis/Norfolk portion of the Charles River Watershed for this event and would be happy to sign up anyone who would like to pitch in with this effort.
David will be manning the volunteer sign in site at the Whole Foods Market in Bellingham, MA beginning at 9:00 AM. People interested in volunteering can drop by and get an assignment for a specific area that needs to be cleaned up.
Full details about this event can be found at: http://www.crwa.org/cleanup.html
David Dobrzynski is the site supervisor for the Bellingham/Franklin/Medway/Millis/Norfolk portion of the Charles River Watershed for this event and would be happy to sign up anyone who would like to pitch in with this effort.
David will be manning the volunteer sign in site at the Whole Foods Market in Bellingham, MA beginning at 9:00 AM. People interested in volunteering can drop by and get an assignment for a specific area that needs to be cleaned up.
Full details about this event can be found at: http://www.crwa.org/cleanup.
"I want to change their way of thinking"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
Marina Smoske, an eighth-grader at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, looks and sounds no different than any other 14-year-old.
She is energetic, beautiful and loves theater. She can't wait to join other kids who know all the lyrics to musicals at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick where she has been accepted. She is just crossing her fingers, praying that she'll get the scholarships she needs to attend her dream school.
And she definitely knows what she believes - she's got strong opinions and enjoys expressing them.
But Smoske is different than most of her peers: She was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism, , at age 4.
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web site.
Read the full article about Marina's effort in the Milford Daily News here
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
Cafe Dolce - Music - Sat 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
John Kinney
Café Dolce
Café Dolce is featuring John Kinney April 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Come and listen to acoustic music inspired by Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Ray LaMontange, and many more!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Rain barrels discounted for Franklin residents
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by Staff reports on 4/22/09
Brutus Cantoreggi, director of Public Works, has announced New England Rain Barrel will be holding the annual rain barrel sale.
Orders may be placed until May 8, 2009. Pick up day is Wednesday, May 13 at 150 Emmons St. from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Rain barrels will be offered to Franklin residents at the retail price of $72.50 , instead of the regularly price of $119.95, by The New England Rain Barrel Company.
The rain barrels are made from 55-gallon blue plastic recycled containers. The barrels have a 6-inch diameter inlet opening covered with a screened louver to keep insects and debris out. The barrels have two brass spigots, one to connect a hose for watering and the other for overflow. They feature a 5-foot hose with a shutoff valve. Multiple barrels can be linked together for additional capacity.
To contact New England Rain Barrel, call 877-977-3135 or log on to www.nerainbarrel.com.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Wicked Local Franklin News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Google has a powermeter?
How much does it cost to leave your TV on all day? What about turning your air conditioning 1 degree cooler? Which uses more power every month — your fridge or your dishwasher? Is your household more or less energy efficient than similar homes in your neighborhood?
Our lack of knowledge about our own energy usage is a huge problem, but also a huge opportunity for us all to save money and fight global warming by reducing our power usage. Studies show that access to your household's personal energy information is likely to save you between 5–15% on your monthly bill, and the potential impact of large numbers of people achieving similar efficiencies is even more exciting. For every six households that save 10% on electricity, for instance, we reduce carbon emissions as much as taking one conventional car off the road (see sources and calculation).
Read more on the Google Energy Information site here.
"You can see signs of progress"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
It's been four years since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, but it is still near to the helpful hearts and minds of members of the Methodist churches in Franklin and Framingham.
On Sunday, church members reflected on their fifth trip to help rebuild homes in Pearlington, Miss. This time, 18 members, college-age through seniors, and three who now live in Rockville, Md., ventured south, and were happy to find progress is finally being made, said the Rev. Sandra Bonnette-Kim, pastor of the Framingham First United Methodist Church.
"It was both good and bad. It was nice to see some developments: Road constructions were being done and bridges were being fixed. The whole town was getting taken care of," she said.
Read the full article about the local assistance being provided to Katrina victims in Mississippi in the Milford Daily News here
"We're going to cross our fingers and hope this works"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
A clerical worker in the assessing department and a building inspector will be laid off this year due to the budget crunch, Building Commissioner David Roche and Head Assessor Kevin Doyle reported while presenting their budgets to the Finance Committee last night.
Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting also told the Finance Committee next year's budget funds 10 fewer municipal positions than this year's budget. That does not include schools, and does not necessarily mean all 10 are layoffs, as some may be retirements that won't be filled.
"It's going to be a stretch, but they're going to do the best they can to do business as usual," said Nutting.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Read all the live reporting posts from the same Finance Committee meeting here
Finance Committee 04/21/09
The live reporting summary of the budget hearing by the FINCOM can be found here
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Live reporting - final items
Sheet provided to Finance Committee to summarize the differences amongst the State level budgets. This is still very fluid.
Next two budget hearings
April 28th - Tuesday (Planning, Police, Recreation, Fire) (not on cable/web, in training room on 3rd floor)
April 29th - Wednesday (in Council chambers and broadcast via cable/web)
Next two budget hearings
April 28th - Tuesday (Planning, Police, Recreation, Fire) (not on cable/web, in training room on 3rd floor)
April 29th - Wednesday (in Council chambers and broadcast via cable/web)
Live reporting - Controller, Legal
Controller
Financial services, fixed asset update is done with an outside consultant. It is an annual expense and done at the end of the year.
Legal
Up to 2002, the Town used outside council. When Jeff came in, he thought it would be better to have that service in house. Cost avoidance is done by awareness and on-going training. The bylaws and town regulations have been re-written over time to ensure the best legal position.
Mid-to-late 80's this budget line items was quarter million dollars. Effectively, the process of having our lawyer in-house saves us money.
Financial services, fixed asset update is done with an outside consultant. It is an annual expense and done at the end of the year.
Legal
Up to 2002, the Town used outside council. When Jeff came in, he thought it would be better to have that service in house. Cost avoidance is done by awareness and on-going training. The bylaws and town regulations have been re-written over time to ensure the best legal position.
Mid-to-late 80's this budget line items was quarter million dollars. Effectively, the process of having our lawyer in-house saves us money.
Live reporting - Insurance, Town Council, Town Admin, Finance
Insurance claims
Folks should be aware of the MA General law in this area. If the Town has no prior knowledge of the pothole, the Town has no obligation to pay the claim against it. If they do know of it, and fail to fill it, they are liable for up to $5,000.
Insurance of $315,000 was approved.
Town Council
There is no budget line item for payroll as the Town Council is a total volunteer effort. Contrary to what some folks believe, they Town Council does not get paid for what they do.
Town Administrations
Budget cut on training and travel.
Some items shifted to other departments.
Finance Committee
The one annual training will be held at Tri-County in October. That will save some expenses this time.
Folks should be aware of the MA General law in this area. If the Town has no prior knowledge of the pothole, the Town has no obligation to pay the claim against it. If they do know of it, and fail to fill it, they are liable for up to $5,000.
Insurance of $315,000 was approved.
Town Council
There is no budget line item for payroll as the Town Council is a total volunteer effort. Contrary to what some folks believe, they Town Council does not get paid for what they do.
Town Administrations
Budget cut on training and travel.
Some items shifted to other departments.
Finance Committee
The one annual training will be held at Tri-County in October. That will save some expenses this time.
Live reporting - Human Resources
Pensions
"We don't control the pensions at all." - Jeff Nutting
"Once you were more than 20 hours a week, then you are in the pension system." That is a county decision.
"They have a fiduciary responsibility to manage their funding."
Health Insurance
Retired Teachers were moved from the State plan to move it to a local control. They have saved $400,000 from the peak of 1.4 M in FY 07.
"It did have a significant savings. The retirees did have angst but are now a very satisfied group." Stephanie McNeil
"The employees have been excellent in changing co-pays to save premium dollars... It is a constant on-going analysis every year." Nutting
The active plans increased 2% and the retired plans dropped about the same so it was really more of a flat (i.e. no rate increase) budget.
Any change in co-pay is a negotiation item with all 13 unions.
Medicare
Audited the payroll records in detail to review classifications.
The experience rating (i.e. accidents) and a competitive rate recently bid has produced savings in this area this year.
Unemployment
Driven in good times and bad by the school system. The requirement of new teachers to become certified has created some turnover for those teachers on a regular basis.
There is some exposure in this area as the school budget is not finalized and the number of teachers that may be laid off is not known. We did well last year with the 42 teachers that were laid off about 20 of them got jobs right away.
The employee benefits budget of over $7 million was approved.
"We don't control the pensions at all." - Jeff Nutting
"Once you were more than 20 hours a week, then you are in the pension system." That is a county decision.
"They have a fiduciary responsibility to manage their funding."
Health Insurance
Retired Teachers were moved from the State plan to move it to a local control. They have saved $400,000 from the peak of 1.4 M in FY 07.
"It did have a significant savings. The retirees did have angst but are now a very satisfied group." Stephanie McNeil
"The employees have been excellent in changing co-pays to save premium dollars... It is a constant on-going analysis every year." Nutting
The active plans increased 2% and the retired plans dropped about the same so it was really more of a flat (i.e. no rate increase) budget.
Any change in co-pay is a negotiation item with all 13 unions.
Medicare
Audited the payroll records in detail to review classifications.
The experience rating (i.e. accidents) and a competitive rate recently bid has produced savings in this area this year.
Unemployment
Driven in good times and bad by the school system. The requirement of new teachers to become certified has created some turnover for those teachers on a regular basis.
There is some exposure in this area as the school budget is not finalized and the number of teachers that may be laid off is not known. We did well last year with the 42 teachers that were laid off about 20 of them got jobs right away.
The employee benefits budget of over $7 million was approved.
Live reporting - Town Clerk, Assessors, Building
The Town Clerk and the elections budgets were approved.
The Assessors budget was approved. There will be a reduction of one clerk in this department. It may affect window service at the Municipal Building but the forms and information generally required is available from the Town website.
The Building Inspectors budget was approved. There is a reduction of one inspector in the FY 10 budget. An inspector brought on and trained during FY 09 is being let go. The approaching risk is that when the economy picks up the permitting process may grow in volume. If the volume increases, there could be risk of not reviewing a permit within 30 days. If the permit was not reviewed within 30 days, it is automatically approved. That is the risk. The contingency is to use the existing employees to cover the permits and take away from window service available hours. At some point an increase in permit volume will require additional staffing to return.
The overall Town budget is down 10 full employees from FY 09 to FY 10.
The Assessors budget was approved. There will be a reduction of one clerk in this department. It may affect window service at the Municipal Building but the forms and information generally required is available from the Town website.
The Building Inspectors budget was approved. There is a reduction of one inspector in the FY 10 budget. An inspector brought on and trained during FY 09 is being let go. The approaching risk is that when the economy picks up the permitting process may grow in volume. If the volume increases, there could be risk of not reviewing a permit within 30 days. If the permit was not reviewed within 30 days, it is automatically approved. That is the risk. The contingency is to use the existing employees to cover the permits and take away from window service available hours. At some point an increase in permit volume will require additional staffing to return.
The overall Town budget is down 10 full employees from FY 09 to FY 10.
LIve reporting - Finance Committee 4/21/09
No agenda was published on the Town website for this meeting (at least that I could find).
Full listing of attendees not available due to viewing the meeting via cable.
This is the second of the FY 10 budget hearings.
Full listing of attendees not available due to viewing the meeting via cable.
This is the second of the FY 10 budget hearings.
Book Signing - LeeRoy U Bailey, Jr - 5/2/09
LeeRoy U Bailey, Jr will be at Treesavers Book Outlet on Saturday May 2, to sign his book; A Different Perspective on How to Reach Heaven: You Must Be Born Again.
LeeRoy will be on site at Treesavers from noon to 4:00 PM. For more information you can email LeeRoy at brnagain@gmail.com or visit his website here.
LeeRoy will be on site at Treesavers from noon to 4:00 PM. For more information you can email LeeRoy at brnagain@gmail.com or visit his website here.
Finance Committee Mtg 4/21/09
The review of the FY 2010 budget continues this evening at the Finance Committee meeting at 7:00 PM. The first several department budgets were reviewed last Thursday and reported on here
The specific department budgets being reviewed this evening is not yet published.
The specific department budgets being reviewed this evening is not yet published.
Monday, April 20, 2009
"we can only spend what we have"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
After hearing rumors that Franklin was going to lose $448,000 for the past several weeks, town officials say they are happy with the $31 million total state aid Franklin is due to receive.
"We were very surprised we were level-funded. This was a pleasant surprise," said School Committee member Cora Armenio, adding that officials are still on their toes because "it's still not over."
"This is the most frustrating budget season I've ever been in, and it's really no one's fault," Armenio said.
Chapter 70 school aid is "the heart and soul" of Franklin's local aid, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, who is president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. The town is expected to get $28.7 million in Chapter 70 school funds.
"Hats off to Rep. (James) Vallee. We dodged a huge bullet - I didn't sleep" Tuesday night, before the House released its budget, Nutting said.
Read this "old news" from last week's Town Council meeting in the Milford Daily News here.
The Town Council meeting was reported live and those notes can be found here.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
"update the Web site and get the word out immediately"
GHS
Tuesday morning, when an accident on Interstate 495 delayed rush-hour traffic in Franklin, Gary Premo logged on to Twitter, to write an update. The 540 people following Franklin Police on the social networking Web site knew immediately to take a detour.
"I think it gets information out in real time, especially with accidents. People might be heading into work and will get the 'tweet,' and think, Oh, avoid (Rte.) 140," said Premo, Franklin Police's communications director.
Amid the marketing, news reports, organizing and general ephemera that comes when millions of users write about their sandwiches and trips to the mall are a growing number of public officials who are "tweeting," as updates are known in Twitter parlance, about what they do.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Read a related article by the Boston Globe here
You can learn more about Twitter here
You can sign up for Twitter here
You can follow the Franklin Police here
You can follow me here
Communication and social media
Governor Deval Patrick making the announcement earlier this week about the latest revenue adjustments. This was posted to YouTube. His use of Twitter and YouTube to spread his message is commendable!
Should you use social media to spread your message?
As long as there is a conversation required to sell your services, then there is an opportunity for you. Come to the NewBCamp at Providence College today to start learning about these possibilities.
Can't make it to NewBCamp, then contact me and we can arrange a mutually convenient time to review the possibilities.
Should you use social media to spread your message?
As long as there is a conversation required to sell your services, then there is an opportunity for you. Come to the NewBCamp at Providence College today to start learning about these possibilities.
Can't make it to NewBCamp, then contact me and we can arrange a mutually convenient time to review the possibilities.
Slide Show: Earth Day 2009
These photos summarize some of the activities on Earth Day in Franklin:
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
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