Franklin held conducted a budget workshop on Monday, Jan 25, 2010. This is part one of the session. Susan Gagner, Town Comptroller, reviews the first pages of her presentation.
Time: 28 minutes, 30 seconds
MP3 File
The files discussed in this segment of the workshop can be found here
Susan Gagner - Overview Page 1
Susan Gagner - Overview Page 2
Susan Gagner - 6 Year Operating Revenue Summary
Susan Gagner - 6 Year State Aid History
Thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit FranklinMAtters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to listen to the audio version.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Budget workshop documents
The documents from the Budget Workshop held on Monday, Jan 25, 2010 can be found stored within a folder on Google Docs. You should be able to view the files and print each individual PDF on your printer should you want a copy for more detailed review.
The files can be found here
Susan Gagner - Overview Page 1
Susan Gagner - Overview Page 2
Susan Gagner - 6 Year Operating Revenue Summary
Susan Gagner - 6 Year State Aid History
Susan Gagner - 6 Year Estimated Local Receipts
Susan Gagner - 6 Year State Assessment History
Susan Gagner - 6 Year Budget Breakdown
Susan Gagner - 6 Year Fixed Cost History
Susan Gagner - School Budget Chapter 70 History
Susan Gagner - Net School Spending - Page 1
Susan Gagner - Net School Spending - Page 2
The files uploaded and available now are from the presentation by Susan Gagner, Franklin Town Comptroller. I will be adding the remaining files as time allows.
I want to share the recording of the presentation and discussion from this workshop and will be releasing sections of the workshop as time permits.
Note: as is was checking the files to ensure that you would be able to view them without a Google Account, I did see an error - "Sorry we are unable to retrieve the document for viewing. Please try again later." I was able to refresh and view the document on the second try.
The files can be found here
Susan Gagner - Overview Page 1
Susan Gagner - Overview Page 2
Susan Gagner - 6 Year Operating Revenue Summary
Susan Gagner - 6 Year State Aid History
Susan Gagner - 6 Year Estimated Local Receipts
Susan Gagner - 6 Year State Assessment History
Susan Gagner - 6 Year Budget Breakdown
Susan Gagner - 6 Year Fixed Cost History
Susan Gagner - School Budget Chapter 70 History
Susan Gagner - Net School Spending - Page 1
Susan Gagner - Net School Spending - Page 2
The files uploaded and available now are from the presentation by Susan Gagner, Franklin Town Comptroller. I will be adding the remaining files as time allows.
I want to share the recording of the presentation and discussion from this workshop and will be releasing sections of the workshop as time permits.
Note: as is was checking the files to ensure that you would be able to view them without a Google Account, I did see an error - "Sorry we are unable to retrieve the document for viewing. Please try again later." I was able to refresh and view the document on the second try.
Gov Patrick's budget for FY 2011
Gov Patrick released his budget on time. The budget home page can be found here:
The full process steps starting with the release of the Governor's budget can be found here
There is a budget guide to read about how to find out what you want to know. The guide can be found here
The home page for the FY 2011 budget can be found here
Respectfully, this is a whole lot of good information.
What does it mean for Franklin?
The key dollars for the Franklin budget comes in the Local Aid section
The totals for FY 2011 proposed by Governor Patrick are:
This totals to $30,548, 750 which is $852,318 less than the $31,401,068 Franklin received for FY 2010.
What does this mean? Too earlier to tell. This is only the first step in the long State budget process. It is not good that we are starting with less than last year. I don't think it likely that either the House or Senate will increase what the Governor has already proposed, but that is my two cents.
What comes next?
Stay tuned in to the budget discussions.
Franklin has a similar process. Each department prepares their budget. It is reviewed by the Town Administrator and presented to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee hold public hearings to review, adjust and recommend a budget to the Town Council. The Town Council holds budget hearing to solicit input from any interested Franklin residents before voting on a budget. Franklin also needs to pass a budget to begin operations on the new fiscal year July 1.
The full process steps starting with the release of the Governor's budget can be found here
There is a budget guide to read about how to find out what you want to know. The guide can be found here
The home page for the FY 2011 budget can be found here
Respectfully, this is a whole lot of good information.
What does it mean for Franklin?
The key dollars for the Franklin budget comes in the Local Aid section
The totals for FY 2011 proposed by Governor Patrick are:
| Municipality | Chapter 70 | Unrestricted General Government Aid |
|---|
| FRANKLIN | $28,371,695 | $2,177,055 |
|---|
This totals to $30,548, 750 which is $852,318 less than the $31,401,068 Franklin received for FY 2010.
What does this mean? Too earlier to tell. This is only the first step in the long State budget process. It is not good that we are starting with less than last year. I don't think it likely that either the House or Senate will increase what the Governor has already proposed, but that is my two cents.
What comes next?
- The House Ways and Means Committee reviews the Governor's budget and then develops its own recommendation.
- Individual representatives submit budget amendments which are then debated on the House floor. Once debated, amended and voted on by the full House, it becomes the final House budget bill and moves to the Senate.
- The Senate Ways & Means Committee reviews both the Governor's and House budgets and develops its own recommendation.
- Individual representatives submit budget amendments which are then debated on the Senate floor. Once debated, amended and voted on, it becomes the final Senate's budget bill.
- State Finance law requires the Governor to submit budget revisions to his proposed budget if revenue forecasts predict a shortfall after the original submission.
- House and Senate leadership assign members to a "conference committee" to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate bills. The conference committee report can only be approved or rejected - no additional amendments can be made.
- Once approved by both chambers of the Legislature, the Governor has ten days to review it. The Governor may approve or veto the entire budget, or may veto or reduce particular line items or sections, but may not add anything.
- The House and Senate may vote to override the Governor's vetoes. Overrides require a two-thirds roll-call vote in each chamber.
- The final budget is also known as the General Appropriations Act (GAA) or "Chapter xxx of the Acts of 2010."
Stay tuned in to the budget discussions.
Franklin has a similar process. Each department prepares their budget. It is reviewed by the Town Administrator and presented to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee hold public hearings to review, adjust and recommend a budget to the Town Council. The Town Council holds budget hearing to solicit input from any interested Franklin residents before voting on a budget. Franklin also needs to pass a budget to begin operations on the new fiscal year July 1.
Democratic Party donation
Michael Walker Jones (center), Chairman of the Franklin Democratic Party, presented a check for $200 to a teacher (left) representing the Franklin High School Democrat's Club. School Committee Chair, Jeff Roy (right) observed.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Now at your service
Let's face it, you are busy. Time is short.
You may not have time to read all that is posted here.
Yes, there is a whole lot happening and I do post quite a bit.
But you'd still like to keep up with what matters in Franklin.
Now you have two new options.
1 - Franklin Matters Weekly
Once a week, I'll post the summary of what has happened the prior week with a brief look at the week ahead. You can subscribe to this new site via email or RSS Feed or iTunes
Franklin Matters Weekly can be found here:
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/
2 - Facebook Fan page
Along with this move to the weekly version, I will eventually disable the Facebook group. But no worry, there already is a new fan page - "I believe Franklin, MA Matters" to join or become a "fan" of.
You can search on Facebook for Franklin Matters, follow this link or visit the new Franklin Matters Weekly and find the Facebook widget to take to you the new Facebook page.
What won't change?
The attention to detail in posting here from the Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee and other important town events will continue.
If you want all the details on all that matters, stay here. You'll still get notification that the weekly summary is ready. You won't miss anything.
But for those who want the shorty and skinny version, Franklin Matters Weekly is now available just for that purpose.
As I close this posting, let me remind you that
You may not have time to read all that is posted here.
Yes, there is a whole lot happening and I do post quite a bit.
But you'd still like to keep up with what matters in Franklin.
Now you have two new options.
1 - Franklin Matters Weekly
Once a week, I'll post the summary of what has happened the prior week with a brief look at the week ahead. You can subscribe to this new site via email or RSS Feed or iTunes
Franklin Matters Weekly can be found here:
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/
2 - Facebook Fan page
Along with this move to the weekly version, I will eventually disable the Facebook group. But no worry, there already is a new fan page - "I believe Franklin, MA Matters" to join or become a "fan" of.
You can search on Facebook for Franklin Matters, follow this link or visit the new Franklin Matters Weekly and find the Facebook widget to take to you the new Facebook page.
What won't change?
The attention to detail in posting here from the Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee and other important town events will continue.
If you want all the details on all that matters, stay here. You'll still get notification that the weekly summary is ready. You won't miss anything.
But for those who want the shorty and skinny version, Franklin Matters Weekly is now available just for that purpose.
As I close this posting, let me remind you that
- If you like what I am doing, please tell your neighbors
- If you don’t like something, please tell me
Winter Street
This street is well named for the conditions as I was walking home Thursday evening.
It was a pleasant walk. Everything around was sugar coated and white again!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
School Preliminary Budget - FY 2011
The presentation document was added to the post for Tuesday evening's School Committee meeting and copied here to save you clicking through to find it.
For the text to accompany this document, click through here
For the text to accompany this document, click through here
In the News - high school renovation planning moves along
Take a step at a time and you make progress towards your goal. With the selection of a project manager, one that has worked with the Town on other major projects (Fire station, Senior Center, etc.), the next step is to select an architect.
Franklin inches closer to renovating high school
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Senator-elect Scott Brown plans for six 'Citizen Open House' events
U.S. Senator-elect Scott Brown today announced the dates and locations for a series of "Citizen Open Houses" starting this Friday in Chicopee.
In a press release, Brown's office said the senator-elect would make six stops over three days to thank the people of Massachusetts for his victory in last week's special Senate election. He invited all members of the public to attend.
"We won this election thanks to the grassroots support of the people, and I want to personally show how much I appreciate that support and tell them that I will always strive to be an independent voice in Washington," said Brown.
The open houses scheduled include:
Friday, Jan. 29, at noon at the Hu Ke Lau restaurant, 705 Memorial Drive, Chicopee
Friday, Jan 29 at 7 p.m. at the Falmouth Inn, 824 Main St., Falmouth.
Saturday, Jan. 30, at 1 p.m. at the Kowloon Restaurant, 948 Broadway Street – Rt. 1 North, in Saugus
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. at Lenzi's Catering, 810 Merrimack Ave. – Rt. 110, Dracut.
Saturday, 6 p.m. at the Maxwell–Silverman Restaurant, 25 Union St., Worcester.
Sunday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. at Christina's Function Facility, 2 Washington St. – Rt. 1, Foxboro.
In a press release, Brown's office said the senator-elect would make six stops over three days to thank the people of Massachusetts for his victory in last week's special Senate election. He invited all members of the public to attend.
"We won this election thanks to the grassroots support of the people, and I want to personally show how much I appreciate that support and tell them that I will always strive to be an independent voice in Washington," said Brown.
The open houses scheduled include:
Friday, Jan. 29, at noon at the Hu Ke Lau restaurant, 705 Memorial Drive, Chicopee
Friday, Jan 29 at 7 p.m. at the Falmouth Inn, 824 Main St., Falmouth.
Saturday, Jan. 30, at 1 p.m. at the Kowloon Restaurant, 948 Broadway Street – Rt. 1 North, in Saugus
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. at Lenzi's Catering, 810 Merrimack Ave. – Rt. 110, Dracut.
Saturday, 6 p.m. at the Maxwell–Silverman Restaurant, 25 Union St., Worcester.
Sunday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. at Christina's Function Facility, 2 Washington St. – Rt. 1, Foxboro.
Horace Mann/Oak St complex closed today due to gas leak
Heard via a phone call from Mrs Sherlock (who teaches at Oak St) and then confirmed with the Franklin Fire Dept Twitter update.
Thayer Scoreboard Restored
Updated 1/27/10 12:25 PM - The scheduled presentation has been canceled for today. When the new date/time has been finalized, it will be posted here.
A letter from Glenn Jones:
A letter from Glenn Jones:
Thanks Glenn! Wish I could be there myself.The Davis Thayer School has had an antique scoreboard hanging in the corner of the gym unused for over 30 years. It dates back some 50 years or more. I spoke with a gentleman who claims it worked when he went to the DT 50 yrs ago. It was slated to be thrown away, but I took it upon my self to remove the old scoreboard and refurbish it. With some great help and contributions, I have been able to restore it back to it original grandeur.
I will be presenting it back to the Davis Thayer School onWednesday January 27th @2pm.All are welcome to come and see history come back to life.
All photos provided by Glenn:
work in progress
The finished product with the lights on
The finished product in daylight
Importance of Kindergarten registration
As a follow-up to the announcement here yesterday on the Kindergarten registration scheduled for next week, I received this letter from a Franklin parent:
Stay tuned for updates on the budget as the situation develops over the next couple of months.
Let me restate what I wrote earlier this week (bold added for emphasis):
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/franklin-ma-kindergarten-registration.html
It was also discussed at the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening that full-day kindergarten is desired, expected, a goal but is not guaranteed at this time due to the uncertainties in the budget.I was at my school's PCC meeting and one piece of information that I did not realize was that the registration for Kindergarten in February helps determine the staffing of the Kindergarten teachers for the next year. Even if a parent is not sure if the child is going to the public school they should register them in February and then if they change their mind let the school know. From my understanding what happened last year is many students were not enrolled by their parents until July so it brought the counts in the class to 25 students.
It would be helpful for parents just starting the school process to understand why they need to register their child in February even if they are not 100% sure that is where they are going to get a better grasp of staffing needed for the next school year. Of course a class might still be this large if they cut kindergarten teachers in the budget but the forecast of how many teachers are needed is not truly shown in the February registration statistics if we have such a large number of parents registering in July.
Stay tuned for updates on the budget as the situation develops over the next couple of months.
Let me restate what I wrote earlier this week (bold added for emphasis):
Kindergarten registration information can be found hereIn summary, the next several months can be very interactive. Franklin citizens can provide their input to the charter, the downtown project, and ultimately the Franklin budget. If you were waiting for a good time to get involved, the time is now.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/franklin-ma-kindergarten-registration.html
School Committee Mtg 01/26/10
The collection of posts that were reported live from the School Committee on Tuesday Jan 26, 2010 can be found here:
- Live reporting - closing items
- Live reporting - Superintendent
- Live reporting - action items
- Live reporting - Discussion only items
- Live reporting - Q&A - Preliminary budget discussi...
- Live reporting - FY 2011 Preliminary Budget Discus...
- Live reporting - FHS London Trip
- Live reporting - Sidewalk Snow Removal Presentatio...
- Live reporting - School Committee
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Live reporting - closing items
Subcommittee reports
We have a proposal to establish email addresses for the committee members. Can proceed with that one. Need clarification on the option of a group mailbox.
The Building Committee interviewed on the 13th of Jan the finalists for the Owners Project Manager (OPM). The selection Daedelus (sic) will be entering into contract negotiations, they have been involved with our prior major Franklin projects.
New business
Q - is full day kindergarten on or not?
A - if we get the full service budget of 53.5 we expect to have a full day kindergarten
At this point it is a desire, an expectation, a goal but it cannot be counted on.
Roy and Sabolinski to attend the Rotary Club
motion to enter executive session, roll call vote, passed 7-0
We have a proposal to establish email addresses for the committee members. Can proceed with that one. Need clarification on the option of a group mailbox.
The Building Committee interviewed on the 13th of Jan the finalists for the Owners Project Manager (OPM). The selection Daedelus (sic) will be entering into contract negotiations, they have been involved with our prior major Franklin projects.
New business
Q - is full day kindergarten on or not?
A - if we get the full service budget of 53.5 we expect to have a full day kindergarten
At this point it is a desire, an expectation, a goal but it cannot be counted on.
Roy and Sabolinski to attend the Rotary Club
motion to enter executive session, roll call vote, passed 7-0
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)