Former Dean College students settle suit against officers
Franklin, MA
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"We want to ... really focus on what we think will make the biggest impact with the town," said Chairman Douglas Hardesty.
Hardesty presented a list of priorities he compiled from brainstorming sessions with the current committee and items the previous Long Range Financial Planning Committee was unable to fully evaluate.
The list includes projecting and evaluating retirement benefits, the high school project, the tax burden, efforts to change state legislation and road and other capital investments.
"We want to take a problem and say (to the council or School Committee) here's your portfolio of options," committee member Greg DiMarzio said.
The previous committee, comprised mostly of elected officials, produced a report that explained the town faced a structural deficit in which revenue growth was less than what was required to maintain services. They projected that, through 2014, expenses would grow faster than revenue by $7 million to 10 million.Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1336254064/Franklin-long-range-board-debates-future-emphasis#ixzz1KoD482Ra
The state is expected to reimburse the town between 53 and 58 percent of the cost, leaving the town to fund $30.8 million, $40.8 million, $45.6 million or $38.5 million, respectively, depending on the option.
Dorothy Miller, who has a son in middle school and another who is a sophomore, said she worried renovating the existing building would significantly disrupt classes.
School officials said a new school would be built on nearby fields while students attend class in the existing building.
In a renovation, "where would they put them?" said Robert Cloutier, 55, who has a son in eighth grade. "In the gym?"
Cloutier said he worries about the cost, but said it's time to do something with the school, which was built in 1971. Project officials said it has outdated science labs, utilities systems and no elevators.
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said during the meeting that a $35 million renovation would cost the owner of the average home valued at $360,000 an extra $235 a year while a $40 million model school would cost $265 a year, based upon current property values. A Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion override would need to be passed to pay for any of the options, most likely in the fall.
Dont forget this weeks Raw Foods Cooking class. Thursday at Whole Foods Market Bellingham 6:30!! Who is coming??
I have a great guest speaker for this class. Sheryl Stone a graduate of the world famous Hippocrates Health Institute http://www.hippocratesinst.org/
Via email from Karen Ring, CPT / Health Coach / AADP, instructor at Whole Foods Market BellinghamSheryl is a Certified Health Educator, she works with individuals who want to lose weight and gain energy through changes in thier diet including, but not limited to, the raw vegan lifestyle. She specializes in raw desserts and not depriving youself of the foods you love!