Real time reporting - Appointments

F. APPOINTMENTS
Franklin Community Cable Access Corp. – Board of Directors
(three candidates for two positions: Ken Norman, Rose Turco, Frank Falvey)

Motion to appoint Norman, Turco, Falvey

Turco, Norman were voted in
Motion to approve, passed 9-0

Finance Committee - Paul Aparo
motion to appoint, seconded,
Motion to approve, passed 9-0

Powederly - Jim Roche and I interviewed four candidates, all were highly qualified, this one is what we have decided to go forward with

G. HEARINGS
none

H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

Real time reporting: Town Council - Nov 7, 2012

Present:  Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: none


A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 3, 2012 Regular Session, October 17 Executive Session
(joined meeting after this occurred)

C. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is also being recorded by Franklin Matters.

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

I joined the meeting just in time to hear Debbie

E. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Debbie Pellegri, Town Clerk, reporting on the results of the election
83% turnout
Problems with machine for Precinct 7 sometimes not reading the ballot on the first try

Robert Cantoreggi, DPW Director
working with three visitors from Pakistan
took them to Millis to see a town meeting in operation
they saw the national election last night, and they see and appreciate how interactive folks are with the government on a daily basis

Aruk, civil service from Pakistan, manages the highway department on the national level
"it is an enriching experience to see government in action"
"We are very grateful for the State Dept to bring us here and grateful to the Town for this experience"

Wayland, Hamilton and now Franklin. They have other locations to visit during their six weeks here

very impressed by democracy at the grass roots level, how the city and towns are govern, a true democracy
they would like to replicate, the people are the most impressive, all the people

They are impressed with how friendly we are, it is not conveyed that way back in Pakinstan

Holiday Stroll - Nov 29th 4:00 to 7:00 PM

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Holiday Stroll Press Release

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 10/31/12

Ring In the Season at the Franklin Holiday Stroll

The Franklin Downtown Partnership plans a jolly evening for its fourth annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, November 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and several elves will make appearances around town, and there will be tree lightings, carolers, refreshments, entertainment and more for visitors this year.

The Stroll will begin with a tree lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. in front of Dean Hall on the Dean College campus. Carolers in period costume will lead holiday songs and refreshments will be served. 

Holiday revelers are invited to bring a donation for the Franklin Food Pantry to the event. The FDP and the Franklin Food Elves will be kicking off the "12 Days of Donating" campaign to benefit the Food Pantry with drop-off bins located at the tree lighting ceremony and throughout the downtown. 

"We are happy to work with the Franklin Food Elves again this year," says Roberta Trahan, Stroll co-chair. "The Food Elves hope to beat last year's collection of more than 2,000 pounds of food and $4,000. In total that provided the Food Pantry with approximately 17,000 meals last winter and was a tremendous help during a critical time."  This year the Food Elves' sponsors and drop off locations will include Berry Insurance, DCU, Dean Bank, Dean College, Emma's Quilt Cupboard, the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Jane's Frames. 

After the tree-lighting festivities, visitors can stroll through downtown to admire the festive window decorations and stop in at more than 25 participating businesses for special treats, entertainment, demonstrations, crafts and shopping discounts. A complete listing of businesses' special offers will be available at each participating location. 

Dean Bank will have a tree lighting ceremony of its own at 4:45 p.m. followed by a unique performance by the students of the Mount St. Charles Hand Bell Choir. The bank will also be bringing back last year's popular Gingerbread Man Decorating activity.

Santa will hear children's wish lists at Simon's Furniture from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Santa's Workshop, complete with letters to Santa and crafts, will be set up at Rockland Trust, and Mrs. Claus will be sharing cookies and stories with children at the Historical Museum. 

Milford radio station WMRC 1490-AM will play holiday music and broadcast live from the Berry Insurance lot, and local singer/songwriter Jamie Barrett will entertain crowds at Jane's Frames from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Fire Station will have a fire engine ready for kids to climb on and offer holiday safety tips for the adults.

"The Holiday Stroll is nice family entertainment," says Cindy Kozil, event co-chair.  "It happens early enough that families can come to the tree lighting, the kids can see Santa and make some crafts, and everyone can do some shopping and have dinner, all within a couple of blocks and without ever having to leave Franklin." 

DCU and Dean Bank are the Gold Sponsors of this year's Holiday Stroll. D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Local Town Pages and Middlesex Savings Bank are Silver Sponsors, and the Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts and Simon's Furniture are Bronze Sponsors. 

For more information about the Holiday Stroll or if you would like to be a sponsor contact co-chairs Cindy Kozil, ckozil@dean.edu, or Roberta Trahan, roberta_icu1@verizon.net.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to revitalize Downtown Franklin. For more information about the Partnership or this event please go to our website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/, or contact Executive Director 

Lisa Piana at (774)571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.  

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Will Anya represent the Patriots?

I wanted to share a story about my daughter, Anya Zub, and her participation in the NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition.

"NFL Punt, Pass & Kick is the oldest grassroots initiative at the NFL.  With last year's age-group expansion to include the 6-7 division, the program will continue to reach children of a younger age and allow them to experience the fun of learning football fundamentals in an engaging and supportive non-contact environment. PPK is about kids, the parents who support their kids to come out and play and about the volunteers who give their time to organize events.   Every NFL team will host the Team Championship level of the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick.  Team Championship will have 4 Participants in each age group. Participants are determined by the top 4 scores from the qualifying Sectional Competitions "

Anya participated in the local PPK competition through our Franklin NFL Flag Football program and came in 1st for girls aged 6-7.  From there, she went to RI to compete in a local Sectional Competition and came in 1st for girls aged 6-7.  They then look at all the Sectionals that fall under the New England Patriots...and Anya was one of the top 4 results.  So, she now gets to compete in the Team Championship.

She will be going to Gillette on Saturday November 11th to participate in the competition.  It happens prior to the game and Anya will be able to stay for the game.  If she were to come in 1st in her group, she would be announced to the crowd during the game.

As you can imagine, we are very excited and proud of our daughter and would love to share this story through Franklin Matters and local papers.

Let me know if you'd like any further information or have any questions.

Thank you,
Gigi Zub

photo credit = "official PPK photo"
http://www.nflppk.com/media/media/gallery/official_ppk_photos/T2ZmaWNpYWwgUFBLIFBob3Rvcw==

Roy takes 10th Norfolk

With a total vote of 11,835 Jeff Roy won the 10th Norfolk District over Rich Eustis who gathered 9,961 votes.

“I can tell you that I never thought I would be standing here in this position,” he said. “I put my heart and soul into this race.” 

“This is a dream I’ve had for a long time,” Roy added, “and to be able to say that the dream has come true is hard to put into words.” 

Roy takes over a seat that Vallee had held since 1994. In order to get there, he had to best fellow Democrat Peter Padula in the September primary. 

Vallee, who stepped down from his seat in June, endorsed Roy on Sept. 18. An 18-year veteran of the State House, he said he felt Roy was the candidate better prepared to serve the district.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1890073731/Roy-downs-Eustis-to-take-10th-Norfolk-District#ixzz2BWyfOicV

In the News: concert, ballot questions, nor'easter

Franklin High winter concert, silent auction set

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Medical marijuana passes; assisted suicide too close to call

by Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

Good news for coast: Nor’easter to weaken

by Malcolm Ritter

Election results - quick totals

Quick totals from Franklin, MA voters

Obama - 8,589
Romney - 8,549

Brown - 10,721
Warren - 6,683

Bielat - 7,626
Kennedy - 8,937

Eustis - 6,832 + Medway 3,029 =   9,961
Roy - 9,751 + Medway 2,084 =  11,835

Ballot Questions

Q1 =  yes - 13,576    no - 1,901

Q2 =  yes - 7,958     no - 8,912

Q3 =  yes - 10,418   no - 6,319

nonbinding Q4  =  yes - 6,524   no - 2,079

nonbinding Q5 =  yes - 6,053   no - 2,544


The full precinct totals can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/election-2012-results-by-precinct.html

Election 2012 - Results by Precinct

Here are the official results from Franklin, MA for November 6, 2012.

17,500 voters cast their ballot for an 85% turnout!

Live reporting - Finance Committee - Nov 6, 2012

Present: Feldman, Goldsmith, Dufour, Quinn, Roche, Dewsnap, Smith
Absent: none

Motion to approve minutes for June meeting, tabled for next time

Leadership selection for new session
Nomination of Jim Roche by Chris Quinn, seconded
Passed unanimously

Nomination of Chris Quinn for Vice Chair, seconded
Passed unanimously

Nomination of Susan Dewsnap for Clerk, seconded
Passed unanimously

Jeff Nutting updates:
In middle of annual audit, should wrap up by end of yer

Dept heads working on budgets, lots of uncertainty
looking to keep flt as much as possible
(lost the use of my "a" key for some reason

tax rate hearing on Nov 28th to set the tax rate for next year

school building bids came in under estimates
public hearing next Weds, Nov 4th 7:00 PM

Library waiver request submitted, last year library budget discussion was different from other budgets
this year the budget increased but we still need a waiver, no decision until Feb 203
hopefully lots of discussions last year with the Commissioners will help this time round
still need to figure out what will efficiently and effectively operate the Library

given the uncertainty in the fiscal view, we do have about 800,000 in excess
state aid brought in about 300,000 more
new growth about 200,000 higher
local receipts coming in higher than anticipated
given the uncertainty, lets' create another stabilization account

60 folks in the School Dept turned over this year, usually around 25-30 could provide some relief but even so they'll have continued pressures

only limitation would be the 2/3 vote to take money via roll call as opposed to majority vote

stabilization account was at one point about 10M with about 6M from a legal settlement
2.5M was used when an override failed
had used a debt stabilization account to manage debt
used a debt overlay account to help balance, no longer available
did have an override of 2.7M but cut 20% of workforce between Town and Schools
reductions in service, 304 municipal now about 240
schools lost about 100 teachers, class sizes rose
can not balance increases on tax revenues, 2.5% increase does not provide enough leeway
no raises also helped saved money, along with increases in co-pay on health insurance

new homes are a loss leader, $5,000 in taxes does not cover the $20,000 expense to educate the two children

Nutting: "I don't ever not see us having a challenging budget"
"all came together for the first time in 5 years to not have to cut jobs"

Gagner: Free cash is a close out from last fiscal year

Roche: part of the urgency is to set the money aside legally or we don't get to touch it for another year.

Quinn: the general stabilization fund is good at about 4.5 to 5% of the operating budget?
Nutting: everyone wants to have some savings but can't have too much as it is the taxpayers money

Nutting: used $00K to repair the cornice that fell off Davis Thayer

Nutting: the addition of this account would modify our policies, we have just started talking about it so it is not set yet

Roche: it doesn't violate any of our fiscal policies but does help us set up for the future

Nutting: this is geared to avoiding having the taxpayer paying more
trust me, there is enough coming down the road for capital needs we will have some need of it

Quinn: we could use some of the extra for a snow budget
Nutting: that is why we keep back some of the free cash to help cover, you're never going to budget for the high, can budget for the average
Quinn: yes, budget for the average, and have something aside for the high

motion to raise and appropriate for the new budget stabilization fund, seconded
Passed unanimously

Nutting: lawsuit between Newton and utilities for how to tax the utility poles, law was changed to determine how to tax, the courts finally decided the suit, need to raise and appropriate the interest to pay the bill, money was set aside but the interest was not collected or set for this

interest rate set at 8% but set forever ago

discussion on overlay versus surplus, not released yet

motion to raise and appropriate $38,000 to pay the utilities
Passed unanimously


Dacey: when we borrowed money last April towards the high school project, received a premium, since this is a debt excluded project, whatever costs and interest are added to the tax levy but the premium is deducted, so this premium needs to be applied against an existing account to properly offset it

Gagner: this is housekeeping financially

motion to transfer from free cash, $1,405 to pay for the high school bands (bonds) (not musical instruments)
Passed unanimously

Deswnap - picked up good point from conference, points we can take offline and review what they mentioned versus what we do, always room to improve

Roche: held in Franklin, good breakout session, good info help every October

Nutting: spoke this year on merging facilities along with Lexington, interesting to see how some are having trouble doing something like what we did with facilities here switching from School to Town support

Nutting: Technology lost a staff person, might need some help sooner than later
Fire Dept with 5 folks out on injury, some new hires haven't been fully trained yet and class is not until next year, so overtime is going up; with reduction in staff, injuries hit you
2 firefighters are down in NJ called up by the federal government

Roche: mentioned to Jeff about getting a recording secretary, we don't have someone but it would be good to have; pretty hard to effectively do so and conduct the meeting; will try to advertise a 2 hour a month job once a month with summers off

A project, to develop a new member packet, what are the policies, phone number listing, mission statement, goals, etc. and a current budget

A project to review all the cash accounts, Jim remiss in sitting with Susan to review
Long range issues need to be picked up from the Long Range Planning Committee
it does happen but it is not formalized in Franklin, roads, sustainability of employment, etc.

Encourage the Chairman to appoint subcommittees to meet with the departments, Police, Fire, DPW and Schools makes a difference when it comes to the budget and decision making

motion to adjourn
Passed unanimously

Franklin votes at the high school

Voting for all of Franklin is at Franklin High School, 218 Oak St, Franklin, MA 02038.


View Larger Map

The polls will open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.

-------------


To help summarize the information available to us on the candidates and their positions, I have the following to offer:

Another stabilization fund?

In the normal course of events, Town Council agenda items regarding money usually get to go before the Finance Committee (FinCom) for a vote. The vote becomes part of the record for the Town Council to consider the matter. How the FinCom votes can help determine what the Town Council will do.

Aside from the election as being the major event of today, the FinCom meeting tonight will get to decide on the possible creation of another stabilization account. We already have several accounts in this space. Per the FinCom agenda these are the accounts and current amounts held:

General stabilization:  $4,806,571
Public Works: $275,494
Traffic: $4,565
OPEB: $170,253
Senior Center: $150,579
Recreation fields:  $150,579
Fire Truck: $75,290
Free cash : $3,580,481

The General Stabilization is supposed to be around 5% of the Town budget as a good fiscal practice as well as Town Council policy.

The OPEB, Senior Center, Recreation Fields, and Fire Truck accounts are all holding money being put aside to accumulate for the time when we will need it. OPEB for the outstanding funding required. The Senior Center for the build out of the 2nd floor. The Recreation fields to re-do the artificial turf fields in a couple of years. The fire truck to purchase a replacement in a few years.

With some extra money over and above what was budgeted for FY 2013, there is now a proposal for an "Operating Budget Stabilization Fund".

The Town Council will vote on Wednesday these two items (among other actions on the agenda)
1. Resolution 12-72: Establishment of an Operating Budget Stabilization Fund
2. Resolution 12-73: Appropriation: Operating Budget Stabilization Fund

Money put aside in this new account would help to offset a future need for an operational override. Yet money from the general stabilization fund had been previously used for this purpose. Why create a separate account? Why not use the one that has been used?


The full FinCom agenda can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/finance-committee-agenda-nov-6-2012.html

The full Town Council agenda for Wednesday's meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-nov-7.html

Music Boosters Fund Raiser - Thu Nov 8

The Franklin Music Boosters will be holding a fund raiser on Thursday evening from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Five Guys. Five Guys will donate a percentage of the purchases during this time to the Music Boosters.

Have a burger and help the Music Boosters!


Additional information on the Franklin Music Boosters can be found on their webpage:
http://www.franklinmusic.org/

In the News: hurricane, ballot questions, election letters

Franklin, Mendon collecting items for hurricane victims

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Many communities will see more than 3 ballot questions

by Chelsea Sheasley/Daily News correspondent

ELECTION LETTER: Proudly voting for Roy for state rep

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

ELECTION LETTER: Roy is the best choice for state rep

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

ELECTION LETTER: Vote for Joe Kennedy

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

ELECTION LETTER: Roy will hit the ground running

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

ELECTION LETTER: Campaign flier distorted Roy's record

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Letter to the Editor: Jeff Roy a TAX Cutter?

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

FHS Girls Varsity game - Tues 6pm @ FHS

Ok Soccer Fans! 

Let's keep the momentum going...Franklin HS Girls Varsity game vs. Dartmouth - 6pm - Tues 11/6 at FHS.  Each game is getting tougher and this one will be no exception.  It's the quarterfinals as there are just 8 teams left in the tournament. 

Please come out to support the team...bring blankets, hot cocoa, mittens, and more to keep warm and cheer on the girls!  They GREATLY appreciate all the support over the last few games...it has really given them an extra boost during the games to hear and see all the fans!!

GO FRANKLIN!!

November is busy!

Why is it so busy in November? It helps that there are 'short' school weeks.

This week: 
No school on Tuesday Nov 6th to reduce traffic on Election Day. Teachers and staff have a professional day.

Next week:
No school on Monday, Nov 12th, Veterans Day.

The following week
Thanksgiving comes with no school Wed/Thu/Fri hence only three two days of school!