The Town Council met on Wednesday and will meet again today (Thursday, 6/10/10) to finalize the budget for fiscal year 2011. The Finance Committee has already held their budget hearings to prepare for these meetings. The decision to hold an override vote to help balance the budget given the shortfall projected and real had been made. The vote was held on June 8th and there won't be additional tax revenue from the residents to work with for FY 2011.
The budget hearings will finalize the budget cutting personnel and services.
The Budget hearing document for Thursday can be found here (PDF)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2010tc/06102010budgethearing.pdf
My notes on the hearing Wednesday can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/live-reporting-town-council-fy-2011.html
For reference the Finance Committee budget hearings can be found here:
May 4th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050410.html
May 6th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050610.html
May 10th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-051010.html
The Budget Workshop held on January 25, 2010 can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/budget-workshop-collection-12510.html
Franklin, MA
Thursday, June 10, 2010
"you need to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable"
In this 12 minute video clip, John Perry Barlow says:
the internet is enabling the possibility of collective human thought
it was going to be a difficult road
it was going to question every system of authority
political process, you need each other
you need to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable
all politics is local
it is possible to see the future where money didn't matter in an election
the internet has made it practically impossible to govern something like the nation
we have to use the same mechanism where we ran a campaign from the bottom to run the government from the bottom
A worthy lesson given the recent events around the override vote
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video clip.
Franklin, MA
the internet is enabling the possibility of collective human thought
it was going to be a difficult road
it was going to question every system of authority
political process, you need each other
you need to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable
all politics is local
it is possible to see the future where money didn't matter in an election
the internet has made it practically impossible to govern something like the nation
we have to use the same mechanism where we ran a campaign from the bottom to run the government from the bottom
A worthy lesson given the recent events around the override vote
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video clip.
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Live reporting - Town Council - FY 2011 Budget Hearing
Present: Kelly, Jones, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Powderly, Zollo
Absent: Vallee
Jeff Nutting, Jim Dacey, Susan Gagner
Part one of two part budget hearing, Wednesday and Thursday
Thanks to Susan and Jim for their work on preparation, the FINCOM also reviewed this, thanks to them for their help
Revenue side
The budget starts in the Fall and as we go through the year
We are always looking ahead to see what we are facing.
As bad as this is, we will be wishing next year that this year is back.
We are already thinking about that.
Revenue up a couple million, allowed to increase up to 2.5 percent - $1.8 million
Interest income, excise taxes, state aid loss again this year (lost in excess of $3 M in last three years)
May have to ask for the Council to change the budget procedurally in July
We are using the House budget, the Senate budget is different
We won't know exactly until the State makes their decision final.
We did take advantage of the meals tax, we have $300,000 from that which helps this year
We will start a $1.2 Million in the hole next year due to one time stimulus funds this year not available next year.
Expense side
All budgets reflect a deferment of the wages from last year's budget
They are in effect this year
The health care changes the employees agreed to and that has saved jobs
Overall the budgets are supressed
The Town loses nine positions, the Schools lose 15 and other changes that they'll will elaborate on as this goes
The DPW loses three people, there will be delays in lawn cutting, etc.
The Police are losing three dispatchers so that will delay some calls, hopefully not 911 calls
Q - Pfeffer
What are the increases reflected in this budget?
A - Nutting
There is no fiscal 2011 increase in this budget
Most of the contracts remain to be negotiated
Q - Pfeffer
I just hope whoever is going into negotiation knows that there is 0%
A - Nutting
Yes
Hold on Police Salaries - Whalen
Hold on unemployment compensation - Nutting
Hold on OPEB - Nutting
1 - Hold on Police Salaries - Whalen
The vast majority is the three dispatchers
Pfeffer
the Fire station, needs to be taken care of, why can't the fireman take care of it
The trees need to be taken care of, they are living trees
Jones
Thanks to all of those who came out to vote
We are going to make some cuts that will hurt
Mason
Overrides tend to bring out the worst in people
I wrote a letter that is posted on Franklin Matters, I am a better writer than speaker, so I urge you to go read the letter
Motion to adjourn, passed 8-0
Franklin, MA
Absent: Vallee
Jeff Nutting, Jim Dacey, Susan Gagner
Part one of two part budget hearing, Wednesday and Thursday
Thanks to Susan and Jim for their work on preparation, the FINCOM also reviewed this, thanks to them for their help
Revenue side
The budget starts in the Fall and as we go through the year
We are always looking ahead to see what we are facing.
As bad as this is, we will be wishing next year that this year is back.
We are already thinking about that.
Revenue up a couple million, allowed to increase up to 2.5 percent - $1.8 million
Interest income, excise taxes, state aid loss again this year (lost in excess of $3 M in last three years)
May have to ask for the Council to change the budget procedurally in July
We are using the House budget, the Senate budget is different
We won't know exactly until the State makes their decision final.
We did take advantage of the meals tax, we have $300,000 from that which helps this year
We will start a $1.2 Million in the hole next year due to one time stimulus funds this year not available next year.
Expense side
All budgets reflect a deferment of the wages from last year's budget
They are in effect this year
The health care changes the employees agreed to and that has saved jobs
Overall the budgets are supressed
The Town loses nine positions, the Schools lose 15 and other changes that they'll will elaborate on as this goes
The DPW loses three people, there will be delays in lawn cutting, etc.
The Police are losing three dispatchers so that will delay some calls, hopefully not 911 calls
Q - Pfeffer
What are the increases reflected in this budget?
A - Nutting
There is no fiscal 2011 increase in this budget
Most of the contracts remain to be negotiated
Q - Pfeffer
I just hope whoever is going into negotiation knows that there is 0%
A - Nutting
Yes
Hold on Police Salaries - Whalen
Hold on unemployment compensation - Nutting
Hold on OPEB - Nutting
1 - Hold on Police Salaries - Whalen
The vast majority is the three dispatchers
2 - Hold on unemployment compensation - Nutting
Putting the Council on notice to add money to this account, with more layoffs coming, we will need more in this account, add $100,000 from free cash
3 - Hold on OPEB - Nutting
If money is put into this account, we can invest it more aggressively
We need to look at this to meet our unfunded liability
Motion to close hearing, approved 8-0
Council comments
Powderly - thanks for all the activities, those who voted and those who did not vote also counted
The issues are not going to change next year
Zollo - thanks for all the effort
we will respect the will of the voters
As the overrides continue to come, as they will, I hope the increase
Pfeffer
the Fire station, needs to be taken care of, why can't the fireman take care of it
The trees need to be taken care of, they are living trees
Jones
Thanks to all of those who came out to vote
We are going to make some cuts that will hurt
Mason
Overrides tend to bring out the worst in people
I wrote a letter that is posted on Franklin Matters, I am a better writer than speaker, so I urge you to go read the letter
Motion to adjourn, passed 8-0
Franklin, MA
Letter from Scott Mason
Dear Franklin Citizens,
As I write this, I am trying to clear my head after a very long day at the polls yesterday.
Nearly 40-percent of our registered voters exercised their constitutional right to vote in a special election that asked voters to approve a $3 million tax override. The question failed.
Several members of the Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee, as well as many private citizens, worked very hard over the past month in an attempt to present the facts behind the need for this extra money. We held a public forum, spoke to PCC’s and met with folks in their homes. Many of us used vacation time from work, sacrificed time with families, and postponed personal plans to provide this service. We did this willingly and with enthusiasm for a cause we truly believe in – the Town of Franklin.
Along the way, we met people who welcomed us into their homes, invited their friends to hear us, and were genuinely concerned with the troubles our community faces.
We also met and heard from citizens who don’t believe in what we are doing. We were told that Franklin overspends, that Franklin must live within it’s means; that because private businesses are not providing raises to it’s workers, Franklin too, must continue to cut personnel and services. In some cases, we as the town government were blamed for problems at the state and federal level. Some of these citizens engaged us in polite, civil conversation, and some, unfortunately, made their feelings known in less mature ways.
Franklin has always benefited from a below-average tax rate and above-average services. Our employees work very hard with very limited resources. It is my deepest hope that despite these next round of cuts, they can somehow continue to do so. We enjoy great “bang for the buck” in this town. Unfortunately, seeing the cuts that have been made over the years, the effects on our schools and municipal infrastructure, I know that we are in for a very rocky road.
I want to thank the folks that gave so much of their time to fight for this cause, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote, either for or against the override. Let’s never forget the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedom. Democracy works.
Perhaps the best aspect of Proposition 2 1/2, is that it gives citizens the opportunity to determine the destiny of their community. This was played out in Franklin yesterday, and was and will be played out in many cities and towns in Massachusetts this spring. We as a Town Council will work with what we have as we have always done, and I as the Council Chairman will continue to do my best to represent the best interests of all our citizens.
Sincerely,
Scott Mason
Town Council Chairman
Franklin, MA
As I write this, I am trying to clear my head after a very long day at the polls yesterday.
Nearly 40-percent of our registered voters exercised their constitutional right to vote in a special election that asked voters to approve a $3 million tax override. The question failed.
Several members of the Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee, as well as many private citizens, worked very hard over the past month in an attempt to present the facts behind the need for this extra money. We held a public forum, spoke to PCC’s and met with folks in their homes. Many of us used vacation time from work, sacrificed time with families, and postponed personal plans to provide this service. We did this willingly and with enthusiasm for a cause we truly believe in – the Town of Franklin.
Along the way, we met people who welcomed us into their homes, invited their friends to hear us, and were genuinely concerned with the troubles our community faces.
We also met and heard from citizens who don’t believe in what we are doing. We were told that Franklin overspends, that Franklin must live within it’s means; that because private businesses are not providing raises to it’s workers, Franklin too, must continue to cut personnel and services. In some cases, we as the town government were blamed for problems at the state and federal level. Some of these citizens engaged us in polite, civil conversation, and some, unfortunately, made their feelings known in less mature ways.
Franklin has always benefited from a below-average tax rate and above-average services. Our employees work very hard with very limited resources. It is my deepest hope that despite these next round of cuts, they can somehow continue to do so. We enjoy great “bang for the buck” in this town. Unfortunately, seeing the cuts that have been made over the years, the effects on our schools and municipal infrastructure, I know that we are in for a very rocky road.
I want to thank the folks that gave so much of their time to fight for this cause, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote, either for or against the override. Let’s never forget the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedom. Democracy works.
Perhaps the best aspect of Proposition 2 1/2, is that it gives citizens the opportunity to determine the destiny of their community. This was played out in Franklin yesterday, and was and will be played out in many cities and towns in Massachusetts this spring. We as a Town Council will work with what we have as we have always done, and I as the Council Chairman will continue to do my best to represent the best interests of all our citizens.
Sincerely,
Scott Mason
Town Council Chairman
Franklin, MA
School Committee - 06/08/10
Notes from the School Committee meeting conducted on June 8th can be found here:
These notes were reported on from the video archive as I was at the high school for the election results.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=CMrOAys1pDEl0YEVhOcHuA%3d%3d
Franklin, MA
- School Committee - closing items
- School Committee - discussion only items (part 2)
- School Committee - discussion only items (part 1)
- School Committee - building committee update
- School Committee - Maggie Streeter
- School Committee - community service
- School Committee - Retirees
- School Committee - routine business
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=CMrOAys1pDEl0YEVhOcHuA%3d%3d
Franklin, MA
School Committee - closing items
4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of the Facilities MOU as detailed.
Motion to approve, passed 6-0
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Foreign Language
b. Enrollment Comparison
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
Cafasso - advertising moving to the field, local businesses are expressing interest
School Committee Liaison Reports - none
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
thanks to the community for another successful All night party
thanks to the DPW custodial staff for a wonderful job preparing the buildings for the graduation, the all night party, etc.
7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
motion to enter Executive session, no intention to return to open meeting
approved, 6-0 via roll call
Franklin, MA
a. I recommend adoption of the Facilities MOU as detailed.
Motion to approve, passed 6-0
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Foreign Language
b. Enrollment Comparison
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
Cafasso - advertising moving to the field, local businesses are expressing interest
School Committee Liaison Reports - none
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
thanks to the community for another successful All night party
thanks to the DPW custodial staff for a wonderful job preparing the buildings for the graduation, the all night party, etc.
7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
motion to enter Executive session, no intention to return to open meeting
approved, 6-0 via roll call
Franklin, MA
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