Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Live reporting - Board of Assessors

Board of Assessors
Kevin Doyle

Nutting provides an overview
This is a real success story of efficiency and effectiveness, online access
Bulk of budget is salary and expenses

Doyle
Mapping - maintains the files to drive the maps and GIS information, needs to be updated and required by law to be updated

Abstracts - pays for cost of deeds and plans to file at the Norfolk Land Court; maintains appropriate ownership of the parcels

Office supplies - pretty constant over the years, legal forms, etc.

triennial is due for FY 2011, they came before the FINCOM recently to get additional funding to cover some outside professional services, that is not included in this budget as it is already covered

18,000 for the support contract for database and records used for all the processing as well as enhancements to the software itself

motion to approve - $280,153 for Assessors

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Board of Health/Health Services

Board of Health/Health Services
David McKearney

notable reduction in budget
did not backfill an individual who left, will be the first department to visibly supply less services due to the shortage

Milford Nursing Services (VNA) - $20,000 provides visiting nursing services as the Town does not have a nurse on duty to make visits and file the appropriate required reports.

Prior to FY 2010, the Town had two vehicles for the department to use
Now mileage is paid for the use of personal cars in lieu of getting a full vehicle

Brutus Cantorerrgi and John Lombardi get the credit for the analysis on using smaller older cars instead of using the older re0usable police cruisers

The lost person per the budget was not part of the submittal, rather than a adjustment to be made later
Training an existing administrative person to handle some of the inspector duties
David is handling most of the inspection work during the training

Minimal expense budget, has stayed pretty stable, usually turn money back in at end of year

The H1N1 program was covered primarily by the volunteers within the Town that stepped up to provide the service in a quality manner at minimal expense (due to the volunteer efforts and donations of materials).

Nutting - the Town stepped forward to provide the volunteer effort, many thanks to all involved.

Motion to recommend budget for Board of Health
Motion to recommend budget for Health Services
both motions passed 9-0


 Franklin, MA

Live reporting - debt stabilization

Roche - question on the debt stabilization fund
Nutting - explanation of the fund's use; to help even out the annual debt amount.

(This was also covered in the Budget hearing in January 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/budget-workshop-collection-12510.html )

Roche - desires to keep one pool to avoid 'found' money, would like to close the account and roll the funds into the General Stabilization account
Nutting - Council would need a 2/3 vote to take out of one and put it into the other

Roche - would like to make a recommendation to close the account
Nutting - if you do this after this year, it would simply be less work and accomplish the same thing
I'd consider putting something from it against the fire truck. It think it should be given some discussion.

Roche - withdraws motion for recommendation



 Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Finance Committee

Present: Messere, Huempfner, Cataldo, Cameron, Roche, Rivera, Quinn, Goldsmith, Teixeira
Absent: Maire, Feldman

Action Items

1 - Transfer -  Snow and Ice Deficit: $231,252  from Free Cash

Motion to approve transfer, passed 9-0

2 - Transfer - $10,000 from Free Cash for the Special Election
Programming, election workers, ballots, food for workers, advertising, best case guess is a total of $10,000
For the override election which is totally Town funded, other State elections get subsidized by the State
19,200 voters, printing 18,000 ballots to ensure no shortage
Motion to approve transfer, passed 9-0




Franklin, MA

Walk and Bicycle to School Day

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:


via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 5/4/10

Safe Route To School Governor Deval Patrick today encouraged students, parents, and school officials to celebrate Massachusetts Walk and Bicycle to School Day this Wednesday, May 5, 2010 as part of the Commonwealth's Safe Routes to School Program. The Safe Routes to School Program works with students, parents, school staff, and local police in 108 communities and more than 294 schools to promote walking and bicycling to school in order to improve students' health, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality in Massachusetts communities.

"Students who can walk or bicycle to school should do it," said Governor Patrick. "It's a great way to clear the cobwebs and arrive ready to work."

On May 5, 2010, thousands of elementary and middle school aged children will celebrate at hundreds of walking and bicycling events throughout the Commonwealth.  Through the Safe Routes to Schools program, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and MassRIDES provide students, parents, and the school community with education and training on transportation, safety, and health benefits from walking and bicycling to school. Participating schools also qualify for financial support for improvements to sidewalks and other infrastructure surrounding schools.

The Safe Routes to School program is a key component of the Healthy Transportation Compact, an initiative of the Patrick-Murray Administration's historic transportation reform that promotes collaboration between the departments of transportation and public health to adopt best practices, increase efficiency, and achieve positive health outcomes through the coordination of land use, transportation, and public health policy. Safe Routes to School enables direct collaboration between the Commonwealth and schools and communities to promote walking and bicycling transportation as fun, safe, and sustainable travel options.

The Safe Routes to Schools program provides educational resources and safety trainings to participating schools to develop skills in young students to safely walk or bike to school. In addition, the program provides technical expertise to identify and fund infrastructure safety improvements to schools such as sidewalk and traffic calming improvements and on or off-street bicycle facilities and parking to help reduce speeds and increase bicycle and pedestrian access around schools.

In 1969, 42% of American students bicycled or walked to school, but today, less than 16% of children walk or bicycle to classes. Nationally, 19% of children age 6-11 years are overweight, more than triple the percentage from 1969. In Massachusetts, almost one-third of high school and middle school students are overweight or obese. And in some communities, school-related traffic can contribute up to 25% of morning rush hour traffic volumes, as well as significant air pollution.

Massachusetts established the Commonwealth's Walk to School Day in 2007. Since then, partner schools have conducted over 500 walking and bicycling events to celebrate Walk and Bicycle to School Day.

Safe Routes to School is federally-funded and administered by the MassRIDES travel options program on behalf of MassDOT. To find out how your school can participate, contact Jennifer Solomon at jennifer.solomon@state.ma.us or visit www.commute.com.

Things you can do from here:

Dean College: Commencement - street closures

 Franklin, MA – Dean College will be holding its Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 8, 2010 on Grant Field.  

As a result,  the section of Main Street between School and Emmons Street will be closed to traffic from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. (during the procession to and from the Campus Center).

In addition, School Street will be closed (School to Hillside) from 10:15a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Public Safety officers will be standing by at the intersection of School and Main, Garfield, Martin Ave. and Hillside to ensure emergency vehicles will have access at all times.



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Young Professional Organization forming

If you have the idea that the Chamber of Commerce is an "old" organization then consider participating in the launch party for The United Regional Chamber's Young Professional Organization. The Young Professional Organization (YPO) will focus on the 20 and 30-somethings who have a interest in social and business networking, community involvement, and professional development.

Get in on the ground floor. YPO events will be a mix of networking and fun held in some of the coolest places in the area. You can help determine what and where.

If you know anyone that you think might want to get involved - invite them!

The introductory gathering will be held at Preservation Framer on North Washington St in North Attleboro.

After the initial discussion at Preservation Framer, head across the street to the Speed of Thought Playhouse for some great music and drinks.

* You must be at least 21 years old to participate in the Young Professionals Organization.

Reference Links:



Note: I am outside the target market age but as a member of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce, I am volunteering to provide help for the formation of this group. My background in community development and mentoring should be able to add some value.