From the Town Council meeting, Weds May 5th, reported via the video on demand archive
Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Mason, Pfeffer, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: Whalen, McGann
Recreational Advisory Board
coordinates the activities of the various youth sports across Franklin
to ensure quality fields are available for safe play across the sports
1 - Youth Lacrosse
http://www.franklinlax.com/
highest enrollment this year, over 200 signed up
funded entirely by registration fees
donated lacrosse sets to Beaver Pond, Charter School, and Horace Mann fields
coordinate coaching and training with FHS lacrosse players
2 - Youth Soccer
http://www.franklinyouthsoccer.org/
enrollment for spring about 1200, fall enrollment 1500
seven members on the Board of Directors
award $1,000 scholarships to male and female seniors for contributions to the program
soccer cleet exchange program
shared costs with other programs to repair fields; Dacey, Meadowlark, Remington
donated new nets
funded an Eagle Scout project at Dacey
funded repairs at King St fields
all field repairs were coordinated with Franklin DPW
Remington is scheduled to be fixed this fall, to be shut down for play for a year to allow for growth
3 - Youth Football
http://www.franklinyouthfootball.org/
about 340 signed up now for the Fall season, with growth in the number expected to grow as the season approaches
working to get additional lights at the FHS/Horace Mann fields to add another field with lights
provide scholarships to graduating seniors
provide scholarships for families to help pay for their registrations
established Franklin Chargers charity to collect food for the Franklin Food Pantry
coordinate football clinic with Coach Sidwell at FHS
winning isn't everything, we teach
32 students graduating from FHS were all Franklin Chargers and recruited by higher institutions
4 - Youth Softball
http://www.fgsafastpitch.org/
about 650-700 girls from kindergarten through 9th grade, playing from April to end of July
supported totally by volunteers, over 220 people contribute to the execution of the program
2nd largest program in the State of MA
work closely with the Franklin DPW and the other groups
league wide clean up day, over 100 cleaned, raking leaves, etc.
installed two outfield fences, etc at Dennis Pisani Field (off Peck St)
clinics coordinated with FHS
a regional sponsor of the Pepsi Run/Pitch/Hit competition this year
award two scholarships each year to graduating FHS seniors
the scholarships will be renamed in 2011 to honor Kristin Graci
5 - Youth Baseball
http://www.franklinyouthbaseball.com/
program began in 1953; over 1,110 in the program this season
275 coaches for the spring, another 60 coach in the summer
can't drive by a field without seeing some kids playing, especially at this time of the year
new Parks and Recreation Dept can focus on preparing the fields in the spring
invested over $100,000 over the last three years; time and materials for field repair
the field property in Franklin needs to be kept up to avoid injuries
invested in tarps to help with the rain control so the fields don't get washed out
expenses shared with other sports, fields are used by multiple groups
"We appreciate having the space to play, we are doing our part to keep the kids on the fields and stay healthy"
Pfeffer - question to clarify on co-ed status
the programs are mostly co-ed
Zollo - I'll confirm that they are co-ed, my daughters have played multiple sports
what is the single thing the Town can do to help
Ecker - What you are doing now is what is needed with the combined
maintain the fields, let the fields breath every once in a while
otherwise, the fields end up in dirt and rocks
as long as they cut the grass and empty the trash cans
you could always have fields, we are investing in the old Putnam field, about $3,000 on the baseball field
there is space there to also put a soccer area on the Putnam space, this helps to take another field offline to rest and recover; Davis Thayer is one that needs to be rested soon
If you ever need votes, there is a good bunch of folks across the groups
Vallee - thank you, I am amazed at all the work that is done
Jones - my daughters have played soccer, it is well run, the kids enjoy themselves and look forward to the new season, thank you for all you do
Franklin, MA
Thursday, May 6, 2010
"There is some hope on the horizon"
"There's no source of local funding for road repairs in town," Mason said. The DPW will "fill potholes and make (minor) repairs... but there's no money for big repairs."
He said Franklin relies on state and federal money for repairs, and though the $900,000 would not be enough to cover all the work that needs be done, it would be a good start.
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said many roads need work.
"We have an incredible backlog of road issues," Nutting said, adding that old subdivisions built in the 1970s and '80s will eventually need repair. "We have to face the reality that if we don't invest in roads, what we're facing this spring (in construction) is going to be an everyday occurrence."Read the full article from the Town Council meeting Wednesday May 5th here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1773729077/Franklin-wants-to-put-900-000-of-override-money-into-roads
Franklin, MA
Horace Mann Middle School - Yard Sale - 5/8/10
The Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin will hold its second annual yard sale on Saturday, May 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the school on Oak Street. Proceeds from the sale will help fund school programs such as field trips and guest speakers.
Among the great finds awaiting bargain hunters are sporting goods, toys, bikes, antiques, furniture, lamps and books. Shoppers can browse booths by local vendors for Mother’s Day gifts including theme gift baskets, jewelry, crafts and potted plants.
The PCC will provide donuts and coffee for sale for early shoppers, and will grill up hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch. They invite residents to spend the day!
In case of rain, the sale will be moved inside the school. The sale starts promptly at 9:00; please no early birds. Anyone interested in donating an item or participating as a crafter can contact the school at (508)-541-6230.
Franklin, MA
Among the great finds awaiting bargain hunters are sporting goods, toys, bikes, antiques, furniture, lamps and books. Shoppers can browse booths by local vendors for Mother’s Day gifts including theme gift baskets, jewelry, crafts and potted plants.
The PCC will provide donuts and coffee for sale for early shoppers, and will grill up hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch. They invite residents to spend the day!
In case of rain, the sale will be moved inside the school. The sale starts promptly at 9:00; please no early birds. Anyone interested in donating an item or participating as a crafter can contact the school at (508)-541-6230.
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Community Health Council - meeting canceled
The Community Health Council meeting that had been scheduled for May 6 at 6:30 PM has been canceled.
The Community Health Council website can be found here
Franklin, MA
The Community Health Council website can be found here
Franklin, MA
quality reporting takes time
A head's up that I won't be live reporting from the Town Council meeting this evening. The New England Revolution have a compressed schedule during May due to the FIFA World Cup in June. Instead of their normal weekend games and an occasional weekday game, they are playing Weds and Sat for the whole month. Ouch, their legs will be tired. That also means I'll miss the live reporting for this week and the 19th. I'll resort to catching the meeting via the on demand video as soon as I can and reporting on what matters.
If you do attend or watch the cable broadcast and want to send along your comments, please feel free to do so.
There is a whole lot happening and your views are welcomed!
Note: Practicing some of the 'asset based thinking' I picked up this past weekend. Instead of saying "No live reporting", I could say "quality reporting takes time".
Franklin, MA
If you do attend or watch the cable broadcast and want to send along your comments, please feel free to do so.
There is a whole lot happening and your views are welcomed!
Note: Practicing some of the 'asset based thinking' I picked up this past weekend. Instead of saying "No live reporting", I could say "quality reporting takes time".
Franklin, MA
Election updates
May 11th
Absentee ballots for the special election May 11th are available at the Town Clerk's office. This election will determine fulfill the seat left vacant by Scott Brown's election to the US Senate.
Only precincts 2, 3 and 4 are eligible to vote in this special election May 11th
June 8th
The override special election will take place on June 8th. Ballots have not yet been printed and absentee ballots are not yet available for that election.
Stay tuned!
Franklin, MA
Absentee ballots for the special election May 11th are available at the Town Clerk's office. This election will determine fulfill the seat left vacant by Scott Brown's election to the US Senate.
Only precincts 2, 3 and 4 are eligible to vote in this special election May 11th
June 8th
The override special election will take place on June 8th. Ballots have not yet been printed and absentee ballots are not yet available for that election.
Stay tuned!
Franklin, MA
Networking Lunch - today
Looking for someone to lunch with today?
Try the Downtown Partnership Networking Lunch at Dean College!
FDP Networking Luncheon
Wednesday, May 5th at noon
Dean College - Golder Room
Campus Center
Lunch is $5.00
Franklin, MA
Try the Downtown Partnership Networking Lunch at Dean College!
FDP Networking Luncheon
Wednesday, May 5th at noon
Dean College - Golder Room
Campus Center
Lunch is $5.00
Franklin, MA
Tough choices
Water, the essence of life versus Downtown, where some go to live it up
1 - On May 12 you get to make a choice.
a - The EPA is holding a public information session at Tri-County to help businesses understand the new proposed requirements for treating storm water. Franklin, Bellingham and Milford are part of a pilot process that is estimated to cost $70 million dollars. The amount would be shared by businesses large and small, as well as the town governments.
b - Also that night, the plans for the Downtown Revitalization Project will be presented and open for discussion at the Franklin Municipal Bldg.
2 - On May 24th you get to make another choice between water and money
a - Monday night, the open forum on the Franklin override vote for $3 million dollars will be held at the Horace Mann/Thomas Mercer Auditorium at 7:00 PM. Members of Town Council, School Committee amongst others will be available for questions and discussion on the budget details.
b - Also that same night at the same time in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Bldg, the Charles River Watershed Association will make a presentation on a storm water management plan to reduce phosphorus from the Spruce Pond Brook sub-basin.
It is a fact that you can live longer without food than you can without water.
Clean water requires money.
In this tough economy, forcing businesses in Franklin (Bellingham, Milford) to compete at a disadvantage against the communities in the rest of the state just doesn't seem fair.
Yet the money discussion on the override is important.
Where should our priorities be?
Couldn't the calendar have been better managed to avoid a conflict?
Franklin, MA
1 - On May 12 you get to make a choice.
a - The EPA is holding a public information session at Tri-County to help businesses understand the new proposed requirements for treating storm water. Franklin, Bellingham and Milford are part of a pilot process that is estimated to cost $70 million dollars. The amount would be shared by businesses large and small, as well as the town governments.
b - Also that night, the plans for the Downtown Revitalization Project will be presented and open for discussion at the Franklin Municipal Bldg.
2 - On May 24th you get to make another choice between water and money
a - Monday night, the open forum on the Franklin override vote for $3 million dollars will be held at the Horace Mann/Thomas Mercer Auditorium at 7:00 PM. Members of Town Council, School Committee amongst others will be available for questions and discussion on the budget details.
b - Also that same night at the same time in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Bldg, the Charles River Watershed Association will make a presentation on a storm water management plan to reduce phosphorus from the Spruce Pond Brook sub-basin.
It is a fact that you can live longer without food than you can without water.
Clean water requires money.
In this tough economy, forcing businesses in Franklin (Bellingham, Milford) to compete at a disadvantage against the communities in the rest of the state just doesn't seem fair.
Yet the money discussion on the override is important.
Where should our priorities be?
Couldn't the calendar have been better managed to avoid a conflict?
Franklin, MA
Finance Committee 05/04/10
The second in a series of budget hearings for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget took place Tuesday evening, May 4th. The collection of live reporting from that meeting can be found here:
Franklin, MA
- Live reporting - Facilities
- Live reporting - Technology
- Live reporting - School Committee budget
- Live reporting - Planning and Community Developmen...
- Live reporting - Elections
- Live reporting - Town Clerk
- Live reporting - Board of Assessors
- Live reporting - Board of Health/Health Services
- Live reporting - debt stabilization
- Live reporting - Finance Committee
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Live reporting - Facilities
Mike D'Angelo
Jeff Nutting provides an overview
transfered all facilities from Schools to the Town to consolidate
3 person maintenance staff, outsource the rest of the major work
over a million square feet to maintain, contract out for specialties
covers all the phones, utilities for all the buildings
spread incredibly thin for the work required
energy improvements have been made for the last decade
6 million dollars for school building improvements, still another 5 million to go
most of the municipal buildings were already upgraded so they are in better shape
Police station 20 year old next year
Budget is level funded but that means less money is invested into the buildings
D'Angelo
price per therm of gas, enabled cut of the gas budget by $157,000 (15%)
helps to offset the prices of other things going up
major phone changes in the schools over the Christmas break, using the savings to pay for the Connect-CTY services
disconnected 159 lines through out the schools to save thousands of dollars a month
Quinn
Can you explain the going long on the gas
D"Angelo
Every 2-3 years we look to negotiate the contract, in cases where we did extend the contract we did make some significant savings
Nutting
We bought at the low price point of oil and gas for a long term contract
D'Angelo/Nutting
the brokers take a tenth or so of a percent, it is bundled into the overall price
the brokers buy the futures, it is a fixed cost to us
hedged our bet that it wouldn't increase
once in awhile we get it right
we do this through our purchasing director
D'Angelo
We work with the utilities to get whatever rebates we can get
National Grid kicked in to save about $1400 a year on one
If you are always doing this, you can keep your energy costs stable
Nutting
maybe we don't do our best advertising this because we believe we should do this
he controls the heat and colling from his laptop
Rivera
What is the increase for telephones?
D'Angelo
We had a grant for the Connect-CTY and Connect-ED but now the grant has expired and we need to start paying for our usage, I think is a 2 year contract and two year increments
Teixeira
Custodian contracts are a large amount, have your looked at the outsource vs insource
D'Angelo
Custodians do ore than custodial work, i.e. changing light bulbs, painting, etc.
Other school districts that have done that have seen increases due to still paying for the other work in addition to the cleaning. Town was outsourcing custodial and we have brought it in with part timers and do more work with less expense
The School cut 8 custodians several years ago, we'd like to get back to that at some point
Nutting
There is some interchange between the organizations giving that we are understaffed
D'Angelo
Town custodians are part-time, the School custodians are full-time labor union contract folks
Roche
could you do FTE for the custodians? so we could compare
D'Angelo
other buildings are the smaller town buildings; King St fields has a building, the gazebo (bandstand) on the Town Common, etc.
Roche
How much was turned back from this budget last fiscal year?
Gagner
About $50,000 - I don;t have the exact number but can get it for you for Thursday
There is another month of utilities encumbered but not in the year to date
There is also a lag on one bill that is paid by Solid Waste first then accounted for by us
motion to approve, passed 9-0
Monday - May 10th - 6:30 PM
Checking schedules, need two more
Thursday - May 6th - 6:30 PM
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
Jeff Nutting provides an overview
transfered all facilities from Schools to the Town to consolidate
3 person maintenance staff, outsource the rest of the major work
over a million square feet to maintain, contract out for specialties
covers all the phones, utilities for all the buildings
spread incredibly thin for the work required
energy improvements have been made for the last decade
6 million dollars for school building improvements, still another 5 million to go
most of the municipal buildings were already upgraded so they are in better shape
Police station 20 year old next year
Budget is level funded but that means less money is invested into the buildings
D'Angelo
price per therm of gas, enabled cut of the gas budget by $157,000 (15%)
helps to offset the prices of other things going up
major phone changes in the schools over the Christmas break, using the savings to pay for the Connect-CTY services
disconnected 159 lines through out the schools to save thousands of dollars a month
Quinn
Can you explain the going long on the gas
D"Angelo
Every 2-3 years we look to negotiate the contract, in cases where we did extend the contract we did make some significant savings
Nutting
We bought at the low price point of oil and gas for a long term contract
D'Angelo/Nutting
the brokers take a tenth or so of a percent, it is bundled into the overall price
the brokers buy the futures, it is a fixed cost to us
hedged our bet that it wouldn't increase
once in awhile we get it right
we do this through our purchasing director
D'Angelo
We work with the utilities to get whatever rebates we can get
National Grid kicked in to save about $1400 a year on one
If you are always doing this, you can keep your energy costs stable
Nutting
maybe we don't do our best advertising this because we believe we should do this
he controls the heat and colling from his laptop
Rivera
What is the increase for telephones?
D'Angelo
We had a grant for the Connect-CTY and Connect-ED but now the grant has expired and we need to start paying for our usage, I think is a 2 year contract and two year increments
Teixeira
Custodian contracts are a large amount, have your looked at the outsource vs insource
D'Angelo
Custodians do ore than custodial work, i.e. changing light bulbs, painting, etc.
Other school districts that have done that have seen increases due to still paying for the other work in addition to the cleaning. Town was outsourcing custodial and we have brought it in with part timers and do more work with less expense
The School cut 8 custodians several years ago, we'd like to get back to that at some point
Nutting
There is some interchange between the organizations giving that we are understaffed
D'Angelo
Town custodians are part-time, the School custodians are full-time labor union contract folks
Roche
could you do FTE for the custodians? so we could compare
D'Angelo
other buildings are the smaller town buildings; King St fields has a building, the gazebo (bandstand) on the Town Common, etc.
Roche
How much was turned back from this budget last fiscal year?
Gagner
About $50,000 - I don;t have the exact number but can get it for you for Thursday
There is another month of utilities encumbered but not in the year to date
There is also a lag on one bill that is paid by Solid Waste first then accounted for by us
motion to approve, passed 9-0
Monday - May 10th - 6:30 PM
Checking schedules, need two more
Thursday - May 6th - 6:30 PM
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Technology
Tim Raposa
Jeff Nutting provides an overview
most of his salary is in the School Budget, most of the Town side of the budget is license fees
It has been the same number for the past several years
consulting services for technical support outside of our expertise, primarily for internet security
Question
Where does the actual network cost sit?
Nutting
In the facilities budget, coming up next
Question
When does the savings from the phones come in?
Raposa
Sometime during the next fiscal year, we are looking for cooperation from the utilities vendors and if all goes well, it will be complete during 2010
Once the fiber network is in place we can start killing off the T1 lines to save the money
Raposa
We don't pay maintenance on computers or servers, we have the warranty only
Raposa
Contractor has done 14 fiber installs in the past year, they know their stuff, we are confident that they know their stuff
Roche
Meetings and conferences seems to fluctuate
Raposa
training and personal development, the previous DBA required some training but that training has been completed
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
Jeff Nutting provides an overview
most of his salary is in the School Budget, most of the Town side of the budget is license fees
It has been the same number for the past several years
consulting services for technical support outside of our expertise, primarily for internet security
Question
Where does the actual network cost sit?
Nutting
In the facilities budget, coming up next
Question
When does the savings from the phones come in?
Raposa
Sometime during the next fiscal year, we are looking for cooperation from the utilities vendors and if all goes well, it will be complete during 2010
Once the fiber network is in place we can start killing off the T1 lines to save the money
Raposa
We don't pay maintenance on computers or servers, we have the warranty only
Raposa
Contractor has done 14 fiber installs in the past year, they know their stuff, we are confident that they know their stuff
Roche
Meetings and conferences seems to fluctuate
Raposa
training and personal development, the previous DBA required some training but that training has been completed
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - School Committee budget
Maureen Sabolinski, Miriam Goodman, Jeff Roy
Nutting provides an intro
have enjoyed a tremendous relationship with Schools
share technology and facilities, excellent teamwork, always looking to save by doing things together
additional School Committee members present - Paula Mullen, Susan Rohrbach, Roberta Trahan
School budget shortage is $1.9M
Roy -
Budget usually increases approx. $3M
used revolving funds and stimulus money to get down to the 1.9M gap
At the last school committee meeting, discussed several items to reduce the gap with additional cuts or additional fee revenues
The proposed adjustments can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/franklin-ma-school-budget-possible.html
No changes are proposed at Franklin High School due to the changes made last year that would survive the two years; by going from a seven period day to a six period day, 80 elective courses were dropped from the curriculum, students now have an option of only one elective (as opposed to two).
Lost over 100 teachers in the last five years, with an increase in students by 1,000 in same period, hence an increase in class sizes.
Eliminated 6 administrative positions over the past several years.
Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) statistics show that Franklin spends below the State average on all eleven categories that they measure.
Special Ed director left for a slightly smaller district where they have three directors to handle the workload where we have one person to handle the workload on a larger district
Explanation on the elementary early dismissal day once a week. The students already exceed the state require hours of education, by releasing early one day, could eliminate the support positions to save three teacher positions, and still provide preparation time for the teachers
Most school districts are looking to try and increase the school day, we unfortunately are going the other direction
Middle school will see substantial class size increases
Elementary students are required to have 900 hours of education, we provide 960.
By releasing the students an hour and a half one day a week, we can save the positions outlined above and still meet the state requirements
It is very important for families to understand what is going on, we are overburdened adjusting for the need of the budget requirements; 100 teachers lost and 1,000 students gained, results in increased class sizes
Nursing salaries is a correction to bring them into alignment with the standards, this was negotiated several years ago, the contract expires this year
Roche - net minimum school spending?
Roy - the State formula that determines the minimum required by communities to provide for the educational benefits
Nutting - generally Franklin was about 15% above the minimum, that crept under 2 M this year, part of it was how the State changed the formula, if they don't change the formula, we would have to shift dollars from the Town side to the School side to meet the minimum required
Roche - if we continue down this trend, this is the wrong way to go
Nutting - part of is is their commitment to provide Chap 70, it is an economic issue and if their money is short, they will adjust to ensure that they can keep their commitment
Roche - the Long Range/Financial Planning Committee in their report has indicated that we are over reliant on state aid and need to be prepared
Quinn
There seems to be a disconnect between perception and reality, with some folks saying the teachers are overpaid, there are too many administrators, etc. What is your role in explaining the situation for the override?
Roy
Members are ready to answer the questions and discuss the issues, we are available
Quinn
You are probably preaching to the choir here, how are you going to reach the others?
Roy
there are some who even if the Town were burning would not want to put it out
there are 18,000 voters (actually 19,200) when you get 3,000 people this is not a true reflection of the public
Nutting
there is a public forum on Monday May 24th to review the details
Sabolinski
We will go where ever necessary to talk about the budget
Roche
What about thinking out of the box?
Sabolinski
I think shortening the school day is a good example
I think we have been cutting so much, it is cutting down to the bone now
Roy
There have been a lot of creative things done in the last several years
Do you really feel the impact of a 7 to 6 period schedule change?
Some middle school students are seeing the impact with only one elective to choose from
We have done a lot of changes that have not been alarming, we are not pursuing this as a measure of sound bit. It has been a slow erosion over the year, sometime we have to stop
Roche
Utilizing and moving to more efficient school buildings
Roy
If our space needs we more flexible, we would love to do so, we don't have that option
If we were to close Davis Thayer, for example, and then come back in a few years to say we need a new elementary school, folks would quickly say: "What were you thinking?"
Nutting
The capital plan has about 5 million dollars for improvements to non-high school buildings
Roy
Keller has 630 in a school built for 550, to think about eliminating space it just not practical
Sabolinski
we will be looking at a re-districting to shift students from Keller to Davis Thayer, etc as there is still growth in the Keller area
Huempfner
Is there any increase for the salary this year?
Roy
There is only the cost of living increase from last year that was deferred last year and due this year
Nutting
Most of the employees are covered by contract signed 3 years ago, those were legal obligations entered into for good faith, they took changes to their health insurance to save money and deferred their cost of living increase
Huempfner
What percent of staff does is not affected by step/level?
Roy
50%
Cameron
what is the largest grade?
Sabolinski
9th grade is 415, 8th grade is 504
Cameron
Alluded to re-districting? when would that occur?
Sabolinski
We would spend 2011 looking at it to make some recommendation to be effective for the 2011-2012 school year
Motion to approve, passed 7-2
Franklin, MA
Nutting provides an intro
have enjoyed a tremendous relationship with Schools
share technology and facilities, excellent teamwork, always looking to save by doing things together
additional School Committee members present - Paula Mullen, Susan Rohrbach, Roberta Trahan
School budget shortage is $1.9M
Roy -
Budget usually increases approx. $3M
used revolving funds and stimulus money to get down to the 1.9M gap
At the last school committee meeting, discussed several items to reduce the gap with additional cuts or additional fee revenues
The proposed adjustments can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/franklin-ma-school-budget-possible.html
No changes are proposed at Franklin High School due to the changes made last year that would survive the two years; by going from a seven period day to a six period day, 80 elective courses were dropped from the curriculum, students now have an option of only one elective (as opposed to two).
Lost over 100 teachers in the last five years, with an increase in students by 1,000 in same period, hence an increase in class sizes.
Eliminated 6 administrative positions over the past several years.
Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) statistics show that Franklin spends below the State average on all eleven categories that they measure.
Special Ed director left for a slightly smaller district where they have three directors to handle the workload where we have one person to handle the workload on a larger district
Explanation on the elementary early dismissal day once a week. The students already exceed the state require hours of education, by releasing early one day, could eliminate the support positions to save three teacher positions, and still provide preparation time for the teachers
Most school districts are looking to try and increase the school day, we unfortunately are going the other direction
Middle school will see substantial class size increases
Elementary students are required to have 900 hours of education, we provide 960.
By releasing the students an hour and a half one day a week, we can save the positions outlined above and still meet the state requirements
It is very important for families to understand what is going on, we are overburdened adjusting for the need of the budget requirements; 100 teachers lost and 1,000 students gained, results in increased class sizes
Nursing salaries is a correction to bring them into alignment with the standards, this was negotiated several years ago, the contract expires this year
Roche - net minimum school spending?
Roy - the State formula that determines the minimum required by communities to provide for the educational benefits
Nutting - generally Franklin was about 15% above the minimum, that crept under 2 M this year, part of it was how the State changed the formula, if they don't change the formula, we would have to shift dollars from the Town side to the School side to meet the minimum required
Roche - if we continue down this trend, this is the wrong way to go
Nutting - part of is is their commitment to provide Chap 70, it is an economic issue and if their money is short, they will adjust to ensure that they can keep their commitment
Roche - the Long Range/Financial Planning Committee in their report has indicated that we are over reliant on state aid and need to be prepared
Quinn
There seems to be a disconnect between perception and reality, with some folks saying the teachers are overpaid, there are too many administrators, etc. What is your role in explaining the situation for the override?
Roy
Members are ready to answer the questions and discuss the issues, we are available
Quinn
You are probably preaching to the choir here, how are you going to reach the others?
Roy
there are some who even if the Town were burning would not want to put it out
there are 18,000 voters (actually 19,200) when you get 3,000 people this is not a true reflection of the public
Nutting
there is a public forum on Monday May 24th to review the details
Sabolinski
We will go where ever necessary to talk about the budget
Roche
What about thinking out of the box?
Sabolinski
I think shortening the school day is a good example
I think we have been cutting so much, it is cutting down to the bone now
Roy
There have been a lot of creative things done in the last several years
Do you really feel the impact of a 7 to 6 period schedule change?
Some middle school students are seeing the impact with only one elective to choose from
We have done a lot of changes that have not been alarming, we are not pursuing this as a measure of sound bit. It has been a slow erosion over the year, sometime we have to stop
Roche
Utilizing and moving to more efficient school buildings
Roy
If our space needs we more flexible, we would love to do so, we don't have that option
If we were to close Davis Thayer, for example, and then come back in a few years to say we need a new elementary school, folks would quickly say: "What were you thinking?"
Nutting
The capital plan has about 5 million dollars for improvements to non-high school buildings
Roy
Keller has 630 in a school built for 550, to think about eliminating space it just not practical
Sabolinski
we will be looking at a re-districting to shift students from Keller to Davis Thayer, etc as there is still growth in the Keller area
Huempfner
Is there any increase for the salary this year?
Roy
There is only the cost of living increase from last year that was deferred last year and due this year
Nutting
Most of the employees are covered by contract signed 3 years ago, those were legal obligations entered into for good faith, they took changes to their health insurance to save money and deferred their cost of living increase
Huempfner
What percent of staff does is not affected by step/level?
Roy
50%
Cameron
what is the largest grade?
Sabolinski
9th grade is 415, 8th grade is 504
Cameron
Alluded to re-districting? when would that occur?
Sabolinski
We would spend 2011 looking at it to make some recommendation to be effective for the 2011-2012 school year
Motion to approve, passed 7-2
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Planning and Community Development
Planning and Community Development
Bryan Taberner
Nutting provides an overview
Secured 200,000 grant to clean up the Nustyle building
Secured the 100,000 grant to put solar on the Parmenter School (90,000 - Town kicks in 10,000)
Open Space plan completed
Technical Review Committee
Planner
Conservation agent
Taberner
down a half of a clerical person
almost 8% of total work hours, work still gets down but it gets shifted around
Beth Dahlstrom primary focus on planning and processing of planning items
Downtown improvement project is underway, requires quarterly reports
EPA and brownfields reporting
Taberner managing half time on economic development and half on grants
Cataldo- Question on how the income from grants balances the department expenses
Grant income far exceeds the department expenses, a great return on investment
Rivera - question on the economy and problems and how it reflects on the Town
Taberner - the Nustyle property will be good to get cleaned up and returned to the tax rolls, I work on the economic opportunity areas, attracts new business. Biotechnology bylaws streamlined to enhance the process to attract businesses. Marketing of Franklin area as business friendly.
Quinn - what is the status of the Downtown revitalization project?
Taberner - we have two grant, one $5 million Federal and one $1 million. A presentation is scheduled for Wednesday May 12th in the Municipal Bldg
About a total $7 and a quarter million project, downtown all the way out to the Brick School
Emmons, Dean, etc.
If all goes according to plan, the downtown would go back to two way traffic, with lights, etc.
Construction expected late 2012 or 2013
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
Bryan Taberner
Nutting provides an overview
Secured 200,000 grant to clean up the Nustyle building
Secured the 100,000 grant to put solar on the Parmenter School (90,000 - Town kicks in 10,000)
Open Space plan completed
Technical Review Committee
Planner
Conservation agent
Taberner
down a half of a clerical person
almost 8% of total work hours, work still gets down but it gets shifted around
Beth Dahlstrom primary focus on planning and processing of planning items
Downtown improvement project is underway, requires quarterly reports
EPA and brownfields reporting
Taberner managing half time on economic development and half on grants
Cataldo- Question on how the income from grants balances the department expenses
Grant income far exceeds the department expenses, a great return on investment
Rivera - question on the economy and problems and how it reflects on the Town
Taberner - the Nustyle property will be good to get cleaned up and returned to the tax rolls, I work on the economic opportunity areas, attracts new business. Biotechnology bylaws streamlined to enhance the process to attract businesses. Marketing of Franklin area as business friendly.
Quinn - what is the status of the Downtown revitalization project?
Taberner - we have two grant, one $5 million Federal and one $1 million. A presentation is scheduled for Wednesday May 12th in the Municipal Bldg
About a total $7 and a quarter million project, downtown all the way out to the Brick School
Emmons, Dean, etc.
If all goes according to plan, the downtown would go back to two way traffic, with lights, etc.
Construction expected late 2012 or 2013
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Elections
Elections
Debbie Pellegri
budget is up, election workers salary is slightly increased
programming for the election, even for the override (at just one question) they charge by the line
have a special machine for the handicap, was given us but the programming for the election is expensive and it hasn't been used for the last four years.
printing service, street lists, all necessary documents required by general law
cost to do the census, $6500
Steve Sherlock had a question on whether the senior work out program was used for elections, it is not.
motion to approve, passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
Debbie Pellegri
budget is up, election workers salary is slightly increased
programming for the election, even for the override (at just one question) they charge by the line
have a special machine for the handicap, was given us but the programming for the election is expensive and it hasn't been used for the last four years.
printing service, street lists, all necessary documents required by general law
cost to do the census, $6500
Steve Sherlock had a question on whether the senior work out program was used for elections, it is not.
motion to approve, passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Town Clerk
Town Clerk
Debbie Pellegri
lost one full time due to retirement, switched the position to two part-time positions
which also saves on benefits
Pretty stable budget
binding of all the records, microfiche
cost of cartridges (i.e. printing)
Nutting
Several years ago, took on passport processing to generate additional revenue for the Town
98% of this budget is required by law
Pellegri
When the Board of Health agents are not available, the Town Clerks office steps up to help cover
What other professional services are used?
The code book is kept up to date, the consulting company actually does the printing, etc. for us
It is not really a consulting company more printing and legal review
Motion to approve - $70,770
passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
Debbie Pellegri
lost one full time due to retirement, switched the position to two part-time positions
which also saves on benefits
Pretty stable budget
binding of all the records, microfiche
cost of cartridges (i.e. printing)
Nutting
Several years ago, took on passport processing to generate additional revenue for the Town
98% of this budget is required by law
Pellegri
When the Board of Health agents are not available, the Town Clerks office steps up to help cover
What other professional services are used?
The code book is kept up to date, the consulting company actually does the printing, etc. for us
It is not really a consulting company more printing and legal review
Motion to approve - $70,770
passed 9-0
Motion to approve - $44,863
passed 9-0
Motion to approve - $13,800
passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
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
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
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
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
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