Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Live reporting - FY 10 Budget continued

Nutting - thanks to all the town employees, department heads. They have done a great job. We can see it in the Town Common and the graduation. Thanks to all.

While we are talking about the FY 10 budget, the FY 11 budget is actually worse. The Financial Planning Committee has indicated the problem with their report as well.

Clerk reads the budget.
A copy of the budget can be found on the Town website in the Town Council meeting Agendas with documents

no holds were called - public hearing closed (second hearing is scheduled for Thursday 6/11/09)

Live reporting - School Budget - FY 10

From left to right across the table are School Committee Chair Jeff Roy, Supt Wayne Ogden, Asst Supt Maureen Sabolinski, and Business Manager Miriam Goodman

TC_SchoolLeaders

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Roy: Budget out of balance by 1.5 million with the teachers decision on the deferment pending their vote this Monday June 15th. We have notified the necessary amount to account for all the contingencies.

Sabolinski: very frustrating budget cycle, have been trying to bring the transportation budget in line as a requirement per the Forensic Audit. In addition to teaching positions, there are two administrative positions at the high school, a data analyst at the central office. These positions would not be returned with any additional funds this year. Additional funds would bring teachers back.

The High School has changed their schedule to accommodate reasonable class sizes. The middle school and elementary schools will see larger class sizes.

The PE/Health requirement has been changed at the High School. It has been reduced to once per week to free up time for course classes.

Bartlett: What has happened to the fees?
Sabolinski: right now the fees are the same. We did look at increasing them and decided not to go that way this year.
Roy: we also looked at the potential revenue loss due to the increased fees.

Zollo: What reductions did we have last year? and the year before?
Ogden: Last year 45, of these 43 were teachers, the year before was 28 of which 8 were custodial and 2 were admin.

Whalen:
Ogden: we know of 6 retirements as of now, we suspect there are four more pending with no obligation for them to provide us notification until June 30th. These retirements will help us avoid some other reductions.
Sabolinski:

Whalen: music programs being cut?
Sabolinski: music programs at the middle school are being shared across the three buildings, the high school choral program teacher will not be maintain her position

Whalen: will other after school activities be cut?
Sabolinski: due to the stipend offered to teachers for the after school programs, there will be less offered. The late bus is also not funded next year which would affect participation.

Whalen:
Sabolinski: in K-8 we don't have other areas to cut, we are looking to protect the core requirements of instruction. They have been cutting for the last 3-4 years, they have no further place to make cuts.
Ogden: the perception that athletic programs are not cut is incorrect.

Bartlett: PE/Health will become an elective?
Ogden: no, it will still be required, the frequency of offering will be reduced to once per week.
Sabolinski: there will be an elective offered for other students to take

Zollo: so the retirements don't affect the 14 positions remaining if you have the 700,000 gap to cover?
Ogden: yes, we still have to get to the total salary requirement coverage of the 14 positions.

5 minute recess

Live reporting - FY 10 Budget hearing

Update on current status, the amount not balanced is about 800,000 off and is really only 1% of the total budget.

From left to right Susan Gagner, Jeff Nutting

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11 Town positions lost for FY 2010

An adjustment will be required in the fall for unemployment costs.

Tax levy increased by 2.5%
State revenue has been reduced by 1.5 million (from various sources per the Governor's numbers).
Motor vehicle receipts down driving the total of Local receipts down over 940,000.

Public facilities did increase due to the total number of buildings covered (schools, etc.)

Public Schools are level funded
Regional school has a savings due to a decrease in enrollment and their own budget reduction efforts

Debt did increase, bonding for the Senior Center, Fire truck and a couple of other items drove this increase.

Norfolk County Assessment increased by 180,000

Q&A
Doak - if we have to make additional cuts, can you give any insights as to where they would be coming from?
Nutting - I think they would be split between Town and School. We haven't had that discussion yet. There are really only 5 Town budgets that could absorb any significant amounts. How much more peril do we want to put the Schools in? I'd rather not start making assumptions, it really depends upon what the amount is. If local option tax is coming around, that would be another Council discussion on how it would be used.

Bartlett - when you go to the Capital, are they aware of the impact with layoffs, etc?
Nutting - They know how important Chapter 70 and local aid is to the cities and towns. There is such a budget dilemma, they are trying to weigh all the possibilities. We managed to get co-pay increases this year, will that happen again, can't say.

Live reporting - Action items

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
  1. Resolution 09-40: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23D and Specification of its General Applicability Approved - 7-0
  2. Resolution 09-41: Appropriation – Library Repairs Approved - 7-0
  3. Resolution 09-42: Establishment of Elected Officials’ Salaries- FY 10 Approved - 7-0
  4. Resolution 09-44: Appropriation – Rt. 140/King Street Construction Approved - 7-0
Notes:
#1 - currently, if a member of Conservation Commission, Planning Board, etc. misses a meeting they can not vote on the final approval. This change allows if they miss one meeting to particiapte via the meeting archives records and continue to provide a vote. If they miss more than one meeting this does not apply.

#2 - the net proceeds of the Four Corners sale could be used for any bondable item (building, roads, fire truck, etc.). It can not be used for operational expenses. The net amount from the sale would be 1.5 million, this uses approx 300,000 leaving 1.2 million still in the account to be used for some other bondable uses.

#3 - correction to amounts on pre-release copy. The amounts also include 4 days at the end of fiscal 2010 that are part of the next pay period in FY 2011 for simplicity sake for the payroll process.

#4 - this is using some monies left over from prior work efforts to re-do the corner at King Street and RT 140. The work will improve traffic flow at the corner for Walgreens.

Live reporting - 4th of July

Presentation by Michael Walker Jones, Warren Revell

An update on the fund raising status
Garelick Farms has contributed so that the fireworks will be held this year.
The Lions Club has provided support for the parade to be held on July 5th

The committee has a new website www.july4thfranklinma.com

You can contribute to the 4th of July via the donation form on the web site here

There is a mailing going to all residents asking for contributions to this effort.

The group will be accepting donations year-round to continue to maintain and support the events on the 4th this year and future years.

Live reporting - Town Council - 6/10/09

Attending: Whalen, Mason, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, Zollo
Missing: Vallee, McGann


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Cub Scouts
Citizenship awards presented to several Cub Scouts for showing interest in government by attending the Town Council meeting of 6/10/09

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - None

E. APPOINTMENTS
  • Zoning Board of Appeals - Phil Brunelli, as an associate member - approved 6-0, 1 abstention
  • Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - re-appointment of existing members, one vacancy remains approved 7-0

Town Council - Agenda - 6/10/09

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Cub Scouts

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
  • Zoning Board of Appeals
  • Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM - FY 2010 Budget – Public Hearing

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Franklin 4th of July Committee

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
  1. Resolution 09-40: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23D and Specification of its General Applicability
  2. Resolution 09-41: Appropriation – Library Repairs
  3. Resolution 09-42: Establishment of Elected Officials’ Salaries- FY 10
  4. Resolution 09-44: Appropriation – Rt. 140/King Street Construction


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Updated to add two items from the revised agenda

Congresman Jim McGovern - local office hours

On Saturday, June 13th, Congressman Jim McGovern will hold local office hours to meet and talk with us at the following places:

  • Medway: Coffee Sensations, 116 Main St, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
  • Franklin: Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St, 9:30 - 10:30 AM
  • Wrentham: Public Safety Bldg, 89 South St, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Plainville: Fire Station, 157 South St, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
  • North Attleborough: Richards Memorial Library, 2:30 - 3:30 PM

This is your chance to talk with Congressman McGovern.

Sign up for his newsletter on his web site here

School Committee Mtg 06/09/09

The collection of live reporting posts from the School Committee meeting on June 9, 2009 can be found here:

Treesavers - Jan Bornstein, book signing



Jan Bornstein will be at Treesavers Books to sign on June 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM

For more about Jan's books visit her web site

"There is no new news"

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 10, 2009 @ 12:21 AM

FRANKLIN —

Town Council will hold back-to-back budget hearings tonight and tomorrow, and will consider a general operating budget that is $500,000 less than last year's budget, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

Nutting will advise the council to pass an $88 million budget, also recommended by the Finance Committee, and make any modifications in a few weeks, when the state is expected to have its final numbers.

He is also recommending the council use the governor's original budget numbers, excluding meals and hotels tax revenue, he said.

The Senate budget gives $875,000 less aid money than town officials were anticipating, though that shortfall is likely to drop, Nutting said.

Read the full article on the scheduled Town Council meeting in the Milford Daily News here

You can find the agenda documents on the Town website here

You should participate at the meeting


"changed her course of study"

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 10, 2009 @ 12:09 AM

FRANKLIN —

The School Committee last night closed the public hearing on the budget, unanimously voting to adopt a $50.2 million spending plan for fiscal 2010. They will present it to Town Council tonight.

"We continued the hearing in hopes we'd have new news, but we don't," said School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy.

The Franklin Education Association will vote Monday on whether to accept a proposal to defer their wages for one year, which will save the district $800,000 - or 16 teachers' jobs, Roy said.

"Every dollar that comes back in this budget, whatever the source, will go solely to bringing back positions," Roy said.

Read the full article on the School Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News here

You can find all the live reporting posts, including pictures and a copy of the Senior Project presentation, here


Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Live reporting - closing comments

Cafasso - a good first step on the high school (as reported) to get the renovations on the State listing.

Armenio - thank you to the parents on the All Night Party committee, they did a wonderful job.

Sabolinski - the Class of 1959 was a great thing to do, Pandora Carlucci did a nice job welcoming the group. That group was a lot of fun.

Pat Slight- big thank you to all involved! The School Committee doesn't get the recognition that they deserve. It is with great pride to say that I graduated from Franklin High.

Brittany MacLeod - The teachers, even in the hard times, the passion they have, Patrick said a lot of what I would like to say.

Roy - about a half million dollars were given out at the awards night. Ms Ohearn an 8th grade teacher had the students write a letter to themselves that she held and sent to them just before their graduation. The students in some cases had forgetten that they had written the letter.

motion to adjourn

Live reporting - Information items

Ogden - it is unclear whether the modular units will be dismantled at Davis Thayer as planned due to the current financial situation. We are looking to get a final answer because if they are going to be there, we'd like to use them.

We did jump the gun to publish the pay-to-ride letter to the parent to ensure sufficient time.
Apparently the letter did go out without some language to indicate a possible change in the amount due to the budget.

Live reporting - action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Malone for future enrichment programs for the ECDC. approved 7-0
b. I recommend the continuation of the School Choice Program for the 2009-2010 School Year. approved 7-0
c. I recommend the request of Corine Minkle to declare damaged and outdated books at Oak Street Elementary School as surplus. approved 7-0
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from Natalie Brunelli for the John A. Brunelli Memorial Scholarship at FHS. approved 7-0
e. I recommend adopting the FY10 Budget in the amount of $50,297,820.00. approved 7-0

Added to listing
f. I recommended approval for the FHS Girls Track Team to attend a meet on Sat JUne 13th, 2009 approved 7-0

Live reporting - school choice

Ogden - this is much influx because the budget is so influx. You have a need to vote to continue or not. We may keep the student population we have and not expand it any further.

Kelly - Can you explain how it works?

Ogden - once you vote in the affirmative, we will open up an application on the school website. Once the listing is acquired, we will see how many if any of the students could be accommodated. If there are any, there will be a blind lottery to select from amongst the applications.

About 25% of the existing students are children of school employees

Kelly - I know from conversations with school employees it is a great thing for them to have the kids here where they are working. They understand they may not be able to count on it.

Sabolinski - We'll need to look a couple of years out to see what seats could be made available.

Armenio - where are we on the kindergarten numbers?
Sabolinski - we have been flat
Ogden - I suspect that until you make the final decision on full day kindergarten, we may not see some of those that may be currently slotted with a private full day kindergarten.

Sabolinski - add backs would not change the middle school numbers

Live reporting - FY 2010

No additional news, teachers union has scheduled a vote for June 15th.
We are scheduled to go forward with the public hearing at the Town Council tomorrow night (June 10th)

motion to close the budget hearing
passed 7-0

Live reporting - Elizabeth S Fitzmaurice

Introduction to Elizabeth S Fitzmaurice (Beth)

SchCom_EFitzmaurice

17 years experience in Army Reserve, taught at West Point
Currently working in North Brookfield as Director of Pupil and Academic Services.

philosophy, high expectations for students

Cafasso - what drew you here?
Fitzmaurice - Franklin has a good reputation even in these times of stress

Cafasso - what is your number 1 priority?
Fitzmaurice - I met with Linda today, this is a well run area, I look forward to continuing her work

Live reporting - Senior Project

Sasha Warner, Judy O'Neil (names to be double checked)

survey says
100% of mentors said the project was beneficial to both the students and the teachers



proposal written during May of Junior year by students
21 students were selected
class during 3rd term
projects worked on during the 4th term

The Five P's
  1. Proposal
  2. Paper
  3. Project
  4. Portfolio
  5. Presentation
Brittany MacLeod "The trial and error and realization of how much work is required generated much pride in the final output."

Project requirements
weekly meetings with mentor, time sheets, daily reflection (written), self evaluation, evaluation by site advisor, exhibition of project

unpaid internships, minimum of 60 hours over the period

Brittany "One thing I definitely learned is that everyone in the company counts"

Lindsey Corek - Milford Hosp - nutrition; "counseling with patients... I became comfortable and confident in dealing with people in a confidential manner. This confirmed by passio for nutrition."

Alyssa Breen - Riverside Community Care - developed more of a passion for the mental health field. Offered a position scheduling at the front office for them during the summer."

Allison Negro - Norwood Hosp - "a really good opportunity to understand that this is something I may not really want to do." Heading for Univ of New Haven to study forensics.

Will O'Leary - Canaccord - worked in the Compliance Dept to ensure that the money processed complied with the existing laws and regulations. He thought he was going to have an interest in Finance but he is not so interested in that now. He will be attending Dean College and studying sports management.

Brittany MacLeod - Changed her mind from her original desire to pursue advertising.

All the students would highly recommend this project to incoming seniors.

Pat Slight - Appreciated the chance to get out of the school building and find that there is so much opportunity ahead. This program helped him avoid senioritis. This will really help him drive through college.

Armenio - this is a fabulous program, several of you realized what you don't want to do.

Rohrbach - What if anything would you do to improve this for next year?
Slight - 60 hours wasn't enough time, should increase to 70 next year. It is already in the works.
Negro - Better time management as well as the increase amount of time will avoid some of the problems a few of the students had this year.

Ogden - this project has been in the incubator for a long time, thanks to the faculty for the hours for bringing this to fruition.

Live reporting: New logo awards


c. Strategic Planning Logo Awards
Ella Reed
Ben Fretz
Cam Goldsmith
Brett vanVort
Patrick McClellan Hurd
Jillian McGrath
Madison Wendell
Lyndsey Donahoe
Pooja Agaraal
Michelle Reinertson
Samantha Fitzpatrick
Collin Berg
Ellie Mancin
Erin Lee
Kasey Lynch
Breanna Metras
Caleigh Smith
Emma Campbell
Joe Nevells
Ashley Monterotti
Kevin MacAllister
Nichole Higgins
David Joany
Anna Humphreys
Madison Hinckley
Andrew DeSignore
Jill Downing
Kristen Dumas – final selection
From 250 initial entries, whittled to thirty for the high school students to work with and create 5 logos

and the final logo is shown above

SchCom_FPS_Logo_Awards

Updated - 6/10/09: The listing of names was updated with the help of Rosanne (Gosch) Walsh