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

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

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

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

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

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

In the News - teens caught, yard sale, Senate debate

Franklin teens charged with breaking into store

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 


Horace Mann Middle School plans yard sale




Senate candidates debate


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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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.



View Larger Map


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.

State Senate Candidates to Debate Tuesday

As only Precincts 2, 3 and 4 are covered by the Senate position formerly held by Scott Brown, Franklin is not likely to get a direct and full visit from the candidates. Consider taking a quick trip to King Phillip middle school tonight to get the scoop in person as the two candidates debate. Directions to the school can be found here

I'll be at the Finance Committee meeting to hear all the gory details of the Town budget.

The election is coming up one week from today, May 11th.
Franklin voters in Precincts 2, 3, 4 will vote at the high school as usual.

Absentee ballots are available from the Town Clerk.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:


via The Wrentham Times by Patrick Coleman on 5/3/10

The candidates for the state senate seat previously held by Scott Brown will debate at KP Middle School, Tuesday, May 4, at 7:00 pm. Voters will have an opportunity to chose between Richard Ross and Peter Smulowitz in one week on May 11.

Things you can do from here:

Planning Board 05/03/10

The collected posts from the Planning Board meeting on Monday, May 3, 2010 can be found here:






Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee Agenda - 5/4/10

Tuesday  May 4, 2010 - 6:00 PM
Municipal Building - Council Chambers


Balances
Gen Stab 4,611,260
PW Stab   129,448
Debt Stab   379,144
Traffic Stab      21,411
Overlay Surplus     -0-      
Free Cash            354,842


Call to Order
Citizens Comments
Approval of Minutes

Action Items:

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


FY 2011 Budget:


Department Code Page



Board of Health/Health Services 510/525 E-1, E-9
Assessors 141 A-16
Town Clerk/Elections 161/162 A-47, A-51
Planning & Growth Management 177 A-57
Information Technology 155 A-44
School Budget 300 C-1
Public Property & Buildings 192 A-66




Old Business
New Business
Adjournment

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 5/5/10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 7, 2010

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS –

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
1. Legislative Update by Representative James E. Vallee & State Senator Karen Spilka
2. Budget Discussion
3. Recreation Advisory Board

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION –
1. Resolution 10-20: Authorization to Transfer A Portion of Franklin’s Excess Sewer Capacity At Charles River Treatment Plant to Towns of Millis and Bellingham
2. Resolution 10-21: Appropriation – Snow and Ice Deficit
3. Resolution 10-22: Appropriation – Election Expenses
4. Resolution 10-23: Adoption of Hazard Mitigation Plan

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


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: School Budget possible adjustments, pending override

The proposed FY 2011 Franklin School Budget book can be found here:
http://www.franklin.k12.ma.us/co/supt/budget/FY2011Budgetbook.pdf

The total amount for the budget requested is:  $52,255,910

If the proposed override to increase local property taxes by $3,000,000 does not pass, the budget above would be adjust by items like the following to meet the level funding available.
The override is scheduled for special election on June 8th. There is an information forum scheduled for May 24th at the Horace Mann/Thomas Mercer Auditorium.


Expense reductions

Middle school teachers (reduce by 8)  (split teams & class size) (27-29 in core subject areas)
$400,000
Elementary Teachers (reduce by 7)
$350,000
Buses (reduce by 3 buses)
$120,000
Shortened school day at elementary schools
$158,000
TOTAL
$1,028,000.00


Revenues

Health insurance
$250,000
SFSF
$219,000
Lifelong learning
$213,000
Athletics
$100,000
Extracurricular
$20,000
TOTAL
$802,000.00



Franklin, MA

In the News - arrested, Big Y

Police: Franklin man gave liquor to minors, gave police a fake name

by 

Big Y gets big thumbs up from local business leaders

by 



Franklin, MA

Monday, May 3, 2010

Live reporting - 282 Summer St (Crossways Church)

Richard Cornetta
Pastor
Ted Gay
Richard Fiest

Conservation Commission hearing closed
Design Review committee recommended approval site plan and project specifications
Nothing further required from ZBA at this time

Yadsernia -
Applicant incorporated comments and have no issues left
reduced 10 parking spaces to allow for screening and drainage
another rain garden (#3)

Dahlstrom
parking spaces require approval
any increase in the number (70) would require a return to the planning board
dumpster added to plan, put a fence around the dumpster
reference that plants would be used from the approved planning documents

Total number of parking spots currently in plan, 70

motion to close public hearing, approved
motion to approve Crossway Church site plan, approved


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Big Y (348 E Central St)

Richard Cornetta
(to be added)
Don Neilsen
Giles Ham


Conservation Commission Apr 29th - submitted all info, meeting still open pending decision here (next May 13th)
Design Review Comm - Apr 13th received approval from signage, lighting, etc.
ZBA Hearing schedule for later this month (May 20th), to resolve 'clerical' issue from several years ago

Applicant has incorporated all comments and have no issues per Yadsernia
There is a road improvement plan for a left turn on Chestnut St onto 140 apparently being prepared
Light sequencing of lights being dealt with by MA Highway
They have addressed all of our drainage issues

Minor clarification to correct some typos, parking as calculated and sufficient
Applicant has comparisons with other parking lots (i.e. Shaw's)
calculated 231 spaces, providing 233, please explain the detail behind the calculations

Curious on number of jobs available, tax revenue estimates to be generated by the site

Minimal light spillage from the property, like on to the sideway, to ensure that the Board is okay with that

Franklin Police recommend second entrance be designed in sucha way that it is southbound entrance only and signed as such

Recommendation to grade site to run rain/storm water northerly rather than southerly to avoid public water supply (Well #9)

The applicant has changed the plans to incorporate a rain garden, rain garden #2

Giles Ham, traffic analysis
(1) to look at the left turn volume, about a vehicle per minute
11 ft thru right lane, 10 foot left turn lane
would have to modify the traffic signal itself to include the left turn signal

(2) discussion with MA DOT to be handled during the design phase

It cost $30,000 to do the work for Walgreen's changes, should be similar costs
new foundation and mast arm, conservatively about $50,000

It could be done but not as part of the project
The volume would not be increased tremendously by this change

Cornetta - temporary for construction 180-200 depending upon the contractors and subs themselves
for employees during operation, 200-300, 70-30 mix between temp and perm
conservative est $15,000 currently  paid, est 7x that, approx. $105,000

Jack Lank, President, United Regional Chamber of Commerce
for the BiG Y, traffic is an issue and will be an issue
positive tax revenue (increase of 7-10x) would help the budget
The BIG Y invests in the community
homework help line to students in the local area, scholarships
will bring competition to other stories to keep the prices low
if they go somewhere else, the tax revenues will go elsewhere

Jack McCarthy, Director of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce
property uses benefits the town
the arguments against have little merit

Steve Hustan (?spelling)
raising question on including the Chestnut St changes in with this.


Because of conservation and finding of ZBA, looking to keep the hearing open
No further information can be taken after the public hearing is closed

Cornetta not happen with keeping the hearing open due to the special permit
Catch 22 developed with 2 boards, Planning Board is the deciding one, Conservation will end up closing the hearing; had been kept open to the impervious issues and wetlands

Next Planning Board meeting June 7th, even if hearing closes, the other decisions are pending anyway
We don't gain any time by close the public hearing

The calculation were based upon the split out of the uses (office, warehouse, retail)
talking 4.0 ration (four spaces per thousand sq feet of retail) at Shaw's and other sites
this is what is needed for this site
peak demand on a Saturday afternoon was only 172 spaces for a similar sized operation

Yadsernia requests the explanation in writing, Planning Board requests copy of this as well

Continue public hearing - 348 E Central St June 7th 7:30 PM
approved, unanimous (Halligan recused himself)



Franklin, MA

Live reporting: Van Roon Chiropractic

Continuation of hearing, no reading required
modifications to plan made based upon discussions with Town Engineer
MA Highway not amenable to curb cuts on 140 due to the low volume

Yadsernia supports new arrangement and reduction in impervious coverage
There is a rain garden there now, rain garden #1

Applicant going back to ZBA to review the change in plantings due to the changes not reflected in the documentation
Recommend to close public hearing - Dahlstrom

Padula - recommending not closing public hearing
Discussion on issue of the ZBA having already approved, going back to get clarification from ZBA
Planning Board is the deciding board, ZBA is only addressing bylaw or variance

Request to client, to make this special permit being owner specific
Continuing the public hearing

Opening the continued public hearing for the Big Y process to be continued after this concludes

Elizabeth
Petition signed by 172 Franklin residents opposing the Van Roon permit (the number was changed from 72 via email from Elizabeth)
Asking the Board to make sure then include Jordan Road in the process
An antique store has been turned done previously for the same reasons this is objected to today.
32 plus extra cars acknowledged for Jordan Road
visually can not seen around the corner
Jordan is only 25 feet wide, not sufficient to allow for collision avoidance
Defend the quality of life on Jordan Road

Michelle
Scenic roads amendment - "to protect designated scenic roads"
maintain natural beauty
enhance rural character

Clarification on the MA DOT, would not approve curb cut under the circumstances

Moving the parking would increase the impervious area and not desired

Clarification on the Board request to keep the special permit to owner specific

Discussion on the views and differing opinions of the view of the parking lot

Moving the driveway entrance would increase the pervious
Problem is with cars turning off 140 at speed and coming upon cars turning out of the parking lot

What does the Town gain by the conversion of the home to a business when there are places for rent down town?

Board - can there be a formal request to the MA DOT?
Yadsernia could make the call but is opposed to the relocation
Can't get a formal response without making an application without an approved site plan
so there is a chicken and egg situation here

You'd have to double it, 32 in, 32 out would be the traffic load, plus employees
approx family house would be about 10, so a major increase in traffic

There is a benefit in taking it off the residence list which could have a family come in with multiple children

MA DOT did provide a curb cut for a property further down the road for a similar situation

Amount of parking spaces is determined by the zoning requirements based upon the square footage of the building, calculation requires 10, would also require 10 as a reasonable number

patients and increase of traffic is the issue per the Jordan residents not the reduction in the impervious coverage

The intersection is dangerous and should be taken into consideration

Yadsernia to go to MA DOT
Client going to ZBA
Discussing return date June 7th 7:15 PM, continuing the public hearing





Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Planning Board - general business

Present: Carroll, Denommee, Ballarino, Calabrese, Padula, Halligan, Yadsernia, Dahlstrom, Taberner, Williams
Absent: 

A) Final Bond Release - (Calabrese recused himself) for Apple View Estates
As built drawings submitted to release bond of $5,170 since 2001
passed (1 abstention)

B) Special permit request for extension for Oak Hill Senior Village
units being built, sales slow due to economy, approx 60 of 110 units sold
no problem per Yadsernia
Administrator's office would like an update on the process
Can we extend a special permit?
Move to extend for 1 year to complete work on site, passed unanimously

C) Application for Dean College limited site plan modification
(Padula recused himself)

Modified exit for Chapman parking lot to allow for left and right hand turn separate lanes
location of exit hasn't changed, just the lanes designation

positioning of sidewalk/crosswalk, attempting to funnel foot traffic to entrance of the new building
added bollards to prevent cars getting into the basketball area
would loose 3 parking spots to maintain turning radius

shifting 3 foot from north to south side for fire/emergency vehicle entrance on Main St

Yadsernia - okay with the exit lane changes but not with the mid-block cross walks, or with the walkway
fair to say, come back with this some other time
will need to vote on the parking spot reduction
no issue (per consensus of board) with loosing the 3 parking spots.

to return May 17th under general business




Franklin, MA

FM #66 Week Ending 5/2/10

Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends May 2, 2010.

Time: 10:02



MP3 File

Session Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast
Number 66 in the series for Franklin Matters.

Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as this week comes to a close on Sunday May 2nd.

In this session I'll the School Committee meeting as they presented their budget Tuesday, and the Town Council meeting on Wednesday where they got an update on the overall budget and voted to put an override question to the voters on June 8th – and a brief outlook at the week ahead

First
The School Committee meeting discussed options on bringing the budget into balance with a number of measures:
  • cutting 7 elementary teachers
  • cutting 8 middle school
  • an increase athletic fees
  • doubling extra curricular activity fees
  • cutting 3 buses
  • an early release of elementary schools one day to reduce another 4 positions

The School Committee meeting can be viewed on the Franklin website here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634084755480134220&indexSessionSKU=kWJQA+d4DkqLdYNtc39VcA%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D


The committee also spent time discussing full vs half day, free vs pay kindergarten
The arguments have already summarized in a post that I worked with Maureen Sabolinski, Karen Seyfried, and Miriam Goodman to prepare. You can find that report here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/full-day-kindergarten-free-or-tuition.html

Second
From the The Town council meeting on Wednesday:
Financial Planing Committee report, summary review of forecast and updates to the outlook
no questions from the Council

You can and should spent some time to review the meeting via the video on demand link on the Franklin website. You can go directly to the discussion here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=PZze5i0pKVPUM62zGqWI7A%3d%3d


Jeff Nutting provided the update on the overall budget, before he did so, we did get some good news on the High School Renovation project
  • 50 percent reimbursement expected from the State
  • vote likely required in Nov 2011
  • construction to begin in 2013
  • which would put the main portion of the debt increase into the tax bills for FY 2015

Overall shortage 3M
1.1 M from Town side of budget
1.8 M from School side of budget

You can and should spent some time to review the meeting via the video on demand link on the Franklin website. You can go directly to the discussion here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=gUqYEwtCQQIavJRj7F%2bNeA%3d%3d

and to include the Finance Committee, Jim Roche took a couple of minutes to add their endorsement of the override
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=fOCjsPPvFGgyKenrDbrNMA%3d%3d

The Council voted unanimously to set the date for the override election to be held on June 8th
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=7mT4fjE8qx5emElxBOKa0Q%3d%3d

The Council then got into a lengthy discussion on the amount and ended up amending the original motion for 2.1 M to increase the amount to 3 M.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=cqgfiEy%2fNL98slaVgWggDg%3d%3d


Closing out some old business from the last meeting, the sewer extension on Washington St that was controversial in the last meeting was resolved before coming to this meeting.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=cL6b7iGtXlCAx98kfQInXQ%3d%3d


Opening some new business was a proposal for a modification to the bylaw on Junk, 2nd Hand and Antique dealers which came up for a first reading.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=9HmNY7guZiQ%2fH4E63hmBMA%3d%3d


I'd normally send you to the Franklin website to view the link but for some reason the link is not available today. I have posted a copy of the Town Council agenda document to Drop.IO and you can view beginning on Pages 28-31 the bylaw itself. Exactly what it changed from is not shown in this document but if this reading is okay with your understanding, then it should be okay. If not, please reach out to Jeff Nutting, Maxine Kinheart and get your questions answered soon.

http://drop.io/FranklinMatters/asset/tc-20100428-agenda-pdf


Separate from the major discussion on override, the Conservation Commission heard the proposals for securing the dams on the DelCarte property along Pleasant St. I need to do more to understand the proposals and implications but be aware that something with dollars associated is being discussed. You can view the meeting and proposal options here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=ei0gDcRTz2DPBC%2frEypYuQ%3d%3d

and here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=mAIQuRUs434FliYRix1Hjg%3d%3d

To summarize:

The school and town budget problems will lead to an override vote on June 8th. There will be a town forum on May 24th and likely other opportunities for discussion on the numbers, pros/cons, etc.

The good news on the high school renovation is the state will reimburse 50%, a vote won't come until Nov 2011, construction won't begin until 2013 and the tax implications of these wouldn't hit out pockets until 2015

The DelCarte property dam remediation will become part of the active discussion.

The Big Y and Dr Van Roon proposals are both scheduled before the planning board on  Monday, the 3rd
The Town Council meets again on weds the 5th,
There is another walk to school morning on Wednesday

So there is a whole lot happening in and around Franklin, let's keep a positive and respectful discussion going and we can all work our way through this.

As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don’t like something, please tell me
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 listen to the audio recording

"tanning should be completely off limits"

As teens across the state flock to indoor tanning salons to prep for their big nights, the House of Representatives will start reviewing a bill passed by the Senate Thursday that raises the minimum tanning age from 14 to 16.
"Research has shown teens who use (tanning beds) have an increased risk of skin cancer by 75 percent," said bill supporter Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland. "... We have an obligation to do something to help raise awareness."
And while the state considers upping the age, the federal government plans to implement a 10 percent tanning tax this summer as part of President Barack Obama's health care reform package - a move some local salons say could hurt their already-strained business.

Read the full article:

Tanning remains popular with teens despite efforts to limit it

from The Milford Daily News News RSS

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Senior Center - May Newsletter

The newsletter for Franklin's Senior Center is now available on the Senior Center webpage (PDF), or viewable here:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Save File: SeniorCenter_May2010_connection.pdf





Arlington starts local effort to save school jobs

Arlington, MA has been mentioned recently because of their 5 year plan and is in the news this week with a couple of groups starting a local fund raising campaign to save school positions by raising a million dollars.

The five year plan they put together sometime ago did result in an override that their budget then lived with for five years. Franklin could do something similar but the appetite for such a deal is not likely to generate enough of a movement to get it going considering the override history here.