Friday, March 14, 2014

FSPA: A Broadway Revue



Franklin Performing Arts Company Presents
  
March 16 ♦ 3pm

Showcase Live, Patriot Place, Foxboro 
A Broadway Revue
featuring
Broadway stars Tyler Hanes and Tony Mansker
Opening number staged by guest artist Michael Raine!

 Tyler Hanes' numerous Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, The Boy from Oz, Hairspray, Sweet Charity, Urban Cowboy, The Frogs and Oklahoma!
Tony Mansker made his Broadway debut as Bert in Mary Poppins, and his National Tour credits include West Side Story.

Special appearances by
FPAC's Nick Paone and Hallie Wetzell
FSPA Musical Theater Students
Electric Youth

Music from 
42nd Street, Hairspray, Tommy, Memphis, Footloose, Barnum,
Seussical the Musical, and more!

Doors open at 2 PM for best seat selection.
Showcase Live pub menu and beverages available.



A Broadway Review
A Broadway Review

In the News: distracted driving

The distracted driving program was presented at Franklin High School on Thursday.
A portrait of an attractive young woman with blonde hair smiled at them from a projector screen. 
The bright face belonged to Casey Feldman, who, her father Joel Feldman said Thursday, has become a heartbreaking example of the danger and pain wrought by distracted driving.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140314/NEWS/140317824/1994/NEWS

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Live reporting - Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #2

Present:  Dowd, Conley, Fleming, Dufour, Dewsnap, Smith, Quinn
Absent: Huemphner, Aparo

Nutting, Dacey

Comment on tips for audio recording
1 - say name before speaking first time, when watching video folks can see who is speaking when listening without the name, they wouldn't recognize the voice

2 - take care with paper handling, the microphones pick up a lot

3 - table taps whether with fingers or pen/pencils also picked up

the combination of the background noises if repetitive can be distracting to the listener


Ryan Jette; Meghan Woodacre
Recreation Dept

over 300 programs a year effectively self funding, expenses generally covered by fee revenue

Q - has the usage gone up?
A - new programs have been introduced to increase overall activity
flag football has almost 500

Q - on 4 - 3 drop
A - moved a full time secretary to a part time

Q - With fields being torn up by the high school
A - we have been working with Dean and Tri-County to use those fields. The college finishes early so that frees up their fields early. It was a bit of a crunch but it is something we can work with

Q - How do you get the money out of Medway?
A - registrations are online and electronically paid so it is automatically deposited in our accounts, no matter where they reside

Q - if it rolls over what happens?
A - generally within $10K and it would roll into the general fund; they also have established minimums to establish a program. The big programs can cover some of the smaller ones

Brutus Cantoreggi
DPW

All in all about $15M total for the budget (including the enterprise accounts)

start with general DPW budget #422
supported by local taxes
highway, central motors, Beaver St recycling

challenge for 2014 is increase workload, 6 less employees since he started
DelCarte and Sculpture Park for example

MassDEP regulatory requirements

HPP - Downtown improvement project
while the State is running the project, when residents have issues, they will likely will call us

basically a level service budget

tree removal increased, has been when it falls down, we pick it up, we'd like to be more proactive
would like to do more asphalt
the Beaver St recycling center is actually starting to look nicer, the folks are satisfied with what we are doing

the major element is storm water, when the EPA sets the regs, it will need to be dealt with

the primary part of most town budgets are personnel costs, my budget is 65% expenses (not personnel costs)

many of the turnbacks are from the employee side, it takes time to hire someone
3 employees are out on workers comp, can backfill until their situation is clarified

TIP money is really tight, there are 101 towns trying to split $45M

if you do the engineering and the standards change you need to re-do the work
need to front the money for engineering work
lions share of state money is going to RT 2

Work to reduce the width of the road, add a sidewalk and we could do it for less

There isn't much money in this budget for roads
the road money is in the capital plan which goes up and down
I have suggested something else to provide that revenue
with adding 2500 seniors, we ought to be building sidewalks
a critical component to health and welfare, it walking
sidewalks need to be in the mix

Q - snow removal, who is responsible for the removal
A - when the contractors are brought in, they supplement the Town work
The DPW personnel budget is overtime

Q - Where do we stand for 2014?
A - just shy of $1M, about $100,000 over budget

we have reduced the amount of salt we put out, if we do the whole town like today, it is about $30,000
if we do the 6 truck route, it is about $6,000

it is hard to show with the numbers but we really has reduced the amount of salt
on the wells, we see the salt go up in the spring time and we need to be careful
the sand goes in the catch basins and we have to pay to ship it away
if you're doing one thing right, something else is wrong

Q - highways salaries, a 15% increase in personnel?
A - actually filled some vacancies and partially due to the increase in collective bargaining agreement

Q - B12 - vehicle parts and accessories
A - we had looked at the averages, the 260 may have been a blip due to a unique event

we try to keep things repaired, when a sidewalk plow goes down, and it costs to fix it, we need to pay for it
we can move money from one line item to another

Q - how early do we bid for fuel?
A - we are participating with a bunch of other towns, we are bidding out a year at a time

we're currently paying $2.09/gal for gas, $3.39 for diesel (we don't pay taxes)
winter is our heaviest use for fuel

Q - on page D6, there is an equipment disposal?
A - a shift to road construction with chip sealing towards the end of the year

Q - what is the size of the fleet
A  - about 250 registered vehicles and a bunch of other lesser vehicles

you are welcome to come down, we are fortunate to have 3 mechanics who do great work

we are in the process of designing the new building, in order to move the equipment and then take down the old building, also loosing space at the high school so the new one needs to be ready to replace it

Enterprise Funds 450/440/434 Section H
Water/Sewer

looking to get another $7.5M bond to continue water work without increasing rates
we have fundamentally changed how we are budgeting
we prepare for the worst, which is what we do
with declining sales of water due to water conservation, the treatment plant is very expensive to run
able to turn facility off about 3 months a year, which reduces the costs
with more water sales, then we would need to turn all the wells on and increase the expenses

manganese, EPA and DEP are looking at it, our system is fine but they are looking at individual wells so we might need to add another treatment plant
eventually it will increase the water rates when the reg are set but we want to be prepare for it

decline decreasing, about 7-8% for unaccounted for water, leaks, fires, hydrant flushing
the biggest savings has been fixing the leaks, new buildings coming in with more efficient appliances
Garelick used to be even bigger, they are reducing their usage

we need to have reserve compression for fire supression
engineering deficit is calculated, if all are running at max, what do you produce? take the max well off line, can you meet that number? if not, that is what you need to reach

water smart development is water efficient development
rain gardens, grey water used for toilet flushing
MA is unique and ahead of other states, 43 inches of rain so we are able to use it
water we can capture from rain it is cheaper than pumping it up

water rain barrels were sold, not sold now as there is no demand

a new grant for rain gardens, new program coming (was a naming contest but not sure what the final name is)

The new fields when the high school comes down, they will be real turf fields
they are smart gadgets to ensure we water when we need to and not over water

Sewer
down a little, just received the Charles River tonight
will spike in 2016 by about $700K due to the sewer system renovations

we did up the sewer rates last year in anticipation of this coming, so we are hoping that we will have enough to cover the increase

reduced a lot of inflow in our pipe to the Charles River, we are sending less waste
also means that ground water stays in the ground which helps our wells

26 lift station and personnel but the lion;s share is the flow

Trash/Solid Waste

cost is going up by the escalator in the contract
proposing a $4/year increase to the Council
the increase would be to $216 so we would still be below what we were 5-6 years ago
this has been a very successful program for the Town

contracts with escalator clauses

  • disposal of the rubbish
  • collection of the rubbish
  • school bus contract
  • school lunch contract with Whitson

these are also enterprise accounts so the extras go back into the fee remediation

mostly based upon fuel costs


All the rest of these budgets are status quo budgets

Planning - 177 A-38
personnel increases are due to negotiation wages
personnel numbers themselves stay the same
no real changes otherwise

NuStyle building used to exit, one building was taken down
another fell down and we need to finish the demo
we know there is asbestos there
used to be a jewelry manufacturing place

Inspection 1- 240 B-53
minor salary increase due to certifications achieved

Health  - 510 E-1
salary adjustment to make the position more competitive relative to our peers

Public Health - 525 E-7
VNA used in lieu of hiring our own staff

Veterans 543 E-18
30 hour position
out reach work shifted


old business - none

Q - DPW biggest percent of the budget is non-personnel cost
can you comment on the payment controls?

A - street opening permit, sticker for landfill, Jim and Susan have worked to put controls in place
We audit to ensure they are following the right procedures, don't take cash at the Beaver St, everything is check or credit card

the accounts payable is controlled whether it is DPW or not, anything over $2500 needs a purchase order, no bills paid without proof of services rendered, controller, treasure, and my signature required
School have their process but the final payments til come trough us

new business
next meeting here at Mar 20th

motion to adjourn
passed


FinCom Budget Hearing Mar 11 - Audio

The audio recording for the first budget hearing at the Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 11.





My notes for this session can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html


The second budget hearing is scheduled for Thursday Mar 13. The agenda is available
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/franklin-ma-finance-committee-budget.html


Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building

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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to listen to the audio podcast.

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #2

The second in a series of budget hearings will be held Thursday evening, Mar 13 beginning at 7:00 PM. This session will be held in the Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of the Municipal Building.

The published agenda for this session is shown here:




The notes from the first budget hearing, Tuesday, Mar 11 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html



Patriots' Pancake Breakfast- Saturday, March 22





The eighth grade class at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School will host a pancake breakfast at the Franklin Elks Lodge (1077 Pond St) on Saturday, March 22 from 9-12.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend.   
As an enrichment to their US history curriculum, the students will travel to Washington, DC in April.  Proceeds from the breakfast will offset the students' cost to participate in the educational trip.   
The breakfast is $5 per person or $15 per immediate family.   
Veterans and those serving in the military will be seated at a table of honor as the students' guests (no charge).   
Please invite our local heroes to attend the breakfast.   
Those wishing to sponsor a veteran's seat or table can send donations of any amount (marked "Veterans Breakfast Sponsor") to history teacher and veteran, Mr. Ed Callahan, at BFCCPS, 201 Main St. in Franklin, or donate at the door.



Bottle and can drive - Franklin High School


Bottle and can drive to be held THIS Saturday, March 15th at the Franklin High School from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM (rain or shine). The bottle/can drive will help raise funds for the All Night Party.

Just in case you aren’t entirely familiar with the All Night Party, it is a substance free party that is hosted by parents at the high school for the graduating seniors. There are activities from 11 pm - 5:00 a.m. This event provides the graduate with non-stop activities, unlimited food and drinks and they have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. This is such a wonderful event of which 90+% of the students attend and thanks to approximately 500-700 volunteers we are able to pull it off!

new Franklin High School
new Franklin High School



Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Lori McKenna with Mark Erelli March 22


Email not displaying correctly? View in browser      Report Spam

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

262 Chestnut St

Franklin, MA
  02038
Phone: 508 528 2541


> Map

> Official Site
> ReverbNation Profile
LORI McKENNA
at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse
with Mark Erelli
March 22nd, $25
Lori McKenna
Lori McKenna
Lori McKenna returns to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday, March 22nd at 8PM. Lori is a master at chronicling the small, difficult moments between romantic partners as they navigate their relationships. The Stoughton singer/songwriter has had great success in Nashville where her songs have been covered by Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and many other artists. Lori released her 6th full-length studio record "Massachusetts" last year . Get your tickets before this show sells-out!
"Poignant and profound poetry. She has an uncanny ability to paint stories of the human condition in a way that reminds us all that we are not alone."
—Keith Urban
 


Mark Erelli opens the show and then joins Lori in her set.

"No need to read between the lines when singer-songwriter Mark Erelli vents on "Delivered"...The prolific New England-based tunesmith makes his case with clarity and conviction. Even listeners who don't share Erelli's views might find it difficult to dismiss the quality of his songcraft or his ties to the likes of Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie."
—Washington Post


 
Mark Erelli
Mark Erelli
The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Admission is $25. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.

UPCOMING SHOWS
PLAY Sat Mar 22 14, 08:00 PM
Lori McKenna, Mark Erelli
Tickets: $25
Tickets
  Sat Apr 05 14, 08:00 PM
Garnet Rogers, Archie Fisher
Tickets: $20
Tickets
  Sat Apr 26 14, 08:00 PM
Zoë Lewis
Tickets: $20
Tickets
PLAY Sat May 10 14, 08:00 PM
Ellis, Joe Crookston
Tickets: $20
Tickets
> See More / Details

View As Webpage           Report Abuse      Privacy  

Physical inquiries can be sent to: 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA, 02038, US
If our email is in your Spam/Junk Folder, please add circlefolk@gmail.com to your address book.

Powered by FanReach Pro

In the News: library renovation, local aid increases


A multimillion-dollar overhaul is being considered for the Ray Memorial Library, including a new addition in the back of the building and an upgraded cooling and heating system. 
Civitects, a Wareham-based architectural company, has presented the Capital Improvement Committee with the results of a revised feasibility study for the library that details the $6.6 million project.
Try to read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140313/NEWS/140318370/1994/NEWS


Note: the Milford Daily News is attempting to implement a 'paywall'. It is still not completely functional as there appear to be too many scripts running as they attempt to have their cake and eat it too. If they turned off all the pop up ads, their paywall might work effectively requiring someone to pay to read. As it is, I have been able to get by the pop ups (so far anyway).


The House budget committee plans to release its version of Gov. Deval Patrick’s $36.4 billion fiscal 2015 budget next month, with debate on it planned for the last week in April. After helping to raise taxes last year to support transportation system investments, House Speaker Robert DeLeo has ruled out tax hikes in this year’s budget. 
Under the agreement, the Chapter 70 program would receive $4.4 billion, its largest appropriation ever, and a $99 million increase over the current state budget. Every school district will receive a state aid increase of at least $25 per pupil. Unrestricted local aid under the joint resolution would increase by $25 million to $946 million. 
In his budget, filed in January, Patrick proposed a $100 million increase in Chapter 70 funding and no increase in unrestricted local aid.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140312/NEWS/140318720/1994/NEWS

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Franklin Schools: Weather Update

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 
Hello 
We have been following weather forecasts and here is the latest report for your review.  Based on current predictions we will be having school. DPW will be treating roads so that should mitigate some of the icy conditions.  We advise parents of HS students who drive to consider dropping students off at school. Please be mindful that roads/ parking lots will be slick. 
FYI   If conditions change overnight there may be a need for a school delay. Thank you and apologies for having to continue to bother you with weather communications when it is almost Spring. Think Rain ! 
Regards,Maureen
 
Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building


From Accuweather:WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EDT THURSDAY...* LOCATIONS...MOST OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND EXCEPT FOR THE IMMEDIATE SOUTH COAST. THIS ADVISORY ALSO INCLUDES NORTHERN CONNECTICUT.* HAZARD TYPES...RAIN TRANSITIONS TO SNOW TONIGHT. A BRIEF PERIOD OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE.* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF UP TO 1 INCH...ALONG WITH AROUND A TRACE OF ICE.* TIMING...STEADY RAIN WILL OVERSPREAD THE REGION FROM WEST TO EAST THIS AFTERNOON. THE RAIN WILL CHANGE TO SNOW FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST BETWEEN 10 PM AND 4 AM. A BRIEF PERIOD OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN IS POSSIBLE DURING THIS TRANSITION. SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE THURSDAY MORNING BEFORE TAPERING OFF DURING THE AFTERNOON.* IMPACTS...THE MAIN CONCERN IS FOR A FLASH FREEZE AS TEMPERATURES PLUMMET INTO THE TEENS AND LOWER 20S. UNTREATED SURFACES MAY QUICKLY FREEZE OVER AS MUCH COLDER AIR ARRIVES. A SMALL SNOW ACCUMULATION MAY HIDE SOME OF THE ICE. THE THURSDAY MORNING COMMUTE MAY BE ICY.

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

The walk (photo essay) (part 2)

The walk on Saturday covered a lot of territory and the results have been split into separate posts. You can find the first section here  and continue the 'reporting by walking around' with me

the 'other' Dean tree
Dean College sitting in the center of Franklin is home to several good large trees. I have highlighted the largest one before. This one on the corner of Main St and Emmons St is also impressive.


tree shadows

One's path in the snow provides a contrast to the tree shadows cast in the early morning light

National Historic District
Yes, Franklin does have quite a bit of history and it has been recognized with a "National Historic District". The display on the Town Common provides highlights on the district.

snow melt reveals the Gettysburg Address
Fortunately, the snow has continued to melt so while the words were beginning to be revealed on Saturday, they are likely completely revealed now. And let's hope the storm that comes by later Weds into Thursday just gives us a dusting of snow.We have had enough already!

Davis Thayer field tree
The tree at the edge of the Davis Thayer field (along School St) provides a good photo in the sunlight


Key dates coming up at Davis Thayer

The 5th has already come and gone but the Auction will be held Saturday the 15th and then there is a fund raising event at the Franklin Grill on March 21st.

The middle part of the walk will be covered in another posting this week. I got out to the DelCarte Property and had some fun walking in the snow. Stay tuned!

"End Distracted Driving" Program - Comes to Franklin High School



 
 TRIAL ATTORNEYS BRING END DISTRACTED DRIVING
PROGRAM TO FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL

The Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA) will bring the "End Distracted Driving" (EDD) program to Franklin High School in Franklin, MA on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.  
The EDD program was started by Philadelphia Attorney Joel Feldman, whose daughter was killed in 2009 by a distracted driver and who will be speaking at the Franklin High School presentation. 
Atty. J. Michael Conley, the President of MATA remarked: "The End Distracted Driving program is one of the most important ongoing initiatives that MATA has ever done. It reaches out to our most vulnerable drivers – high school students. The program is designed to raise awareness of the dangers in driving distracted and hopes to protect young drivers by educating them. What could be more important in our society?"  
MATA has adopted attorney Feldman's EDD program and continues to visit as many high schools and colleges as possible each year to impress upon students the many dangers of driving distracted. 
Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin), who was instrumental in bringing MATA and the EDD program to Franklin High School, said, "Distracted driving substantially increases the risk of an accident and young drivers are at the greatest risk. While we have laws in place, distracted driving remains a major health risk with deadly consequences. When I saw the End Distracted Driving program I knew that it had to be showcased in our area, as I think it is something all high school students should see".  
As of this date, MATA volunteers and Joel Feldman have presented the EDD program in over twenty high schools and colleges in Massachusetts.

Financial Audit Results

The annual financial audit was reviewed during the last Town Council meeting. It is effectively a 'good' audit. There are some minor issues to be worked on according to the management letter. The complete text of all three documents can be found here


The Annual Financial Statements (53 pages)




The Management Letter (6 pages)




Additional items not covered in the Management Letter (2 pages)




The notes from the Town Council discussion can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-audit-report.html

The video of the Town Council meeting can be viewed here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=635302006607091250&indexSessionSKU=04Plyid7sgk9t4tfYKAX+A%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D

(skip ahead to about 34 minutes to catch the section on the audit)

Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Franklin Schools: Update 3/11/14

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

March 11, 2014

Hello

My hope is that spring is almost here and that I will not have to call your homes at dawn with a snow message this week. If I have to contact our families on Thursday you may hear me whimpering and crying with disappointment. We are keeping our fingers crossed for rain.

Last day is June 20 and it is a half day.


Upcoming Events:

  • FHS Winter Carnival
A fun-filled program designed and run by the students at Franklin High School. Games, snacks prize for preschool and elementary students- all proceeds to benefit the Munroe family fund. Sunday, March 16 from 12:00 until 4:00 FHS Fieldhouse



  • Franklin Education Foundation Annual Trivia Bee

Come to the annual town-wide trivia bee on Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00 at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School. Watch the teams compete for dominance in music trivia, have some snacks and bid on auction prizes. The finds raised support grants to Franklin educators.  See if the Franklin School Committee can repeat as champs and listen to the musical talent of the FHS Jazz Band.

  • PARCC Parent Presentation
Formal presentation by teams of our administrators and teachers on the PARCC Pilot. Breakout sessions by level (K-5, 6-8, 9-12) to view sample questions and experience online assessment. The date of the PARCC Parent Night  is Thursday , March 20 at 6:30 at Horace Mann Middle School. 

  
This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building

Live reporting - Finance Committee - Budget Hearing

Present: Quinn, Fleming, Conley, Smith, Dufour, Aparo, Dowd
Absent:  Dewsnap, Huempher

Nutting, Gagner, Dacey, McNeil

Motion to approve minutes for meeting of Jan 14, seconded, passed 7-0

Nutting  - budget overview
Revenues up, what the Schools do with their budget, we'll find out (School Committee actually meeting on their budget this evening)

Town Administrator budget going up with Town Clerk no longer able to do passports by law

new high has more glass and surfaces that will need to be cleaned regularly
Schools had laid off 8 custodians several years ago, this is time to add one back

Police looking to add one position; between vacation, holiday, sick leave accumulated it amounts to 3 people,  this covers one; haven't been replacing them regularly

4 firefighters being paid by Federal grant, that will expire, no increase budgeted for as there still is not a negotiated contract with the fire fighters union

Retiree health costs transferred to Town Budget from Schools; better situation for this to be handled
this accounts for an extra increase of $555,000

Snow budget increase, this year is up so the rolling average is

looking to add 2600 seniors so Senior Center will be increasing

Library monthly book sale increasing revenues to open up Sunday hours

Bond request coming in the Spring for water improvements
Bond request coming for Library improvements and renovations (within budget)

Sewer plant improvements going to hit budget next year, hopefully the increase will did last year will help us cover that, the exact amount will find out and see

mediation/arbitration coming again with fire fighters but not really an expectation of getting a settlement given the recent history

This is an 'easy' budget in the grand scheme of things, next year will be another sotry

trash account likely to increase about $4 next year, hard to believe it is already coming up to the end of the five year contract.as the economy gets better the trash rates will get better

Q - if recycling rate goes up does that help the overall rate?
A - yes, it does.

Q - would the declining enrollment affect some of their planning?
A - question is better answered by the School Committee. The grade student teacher ratio is different from elementary, middle to high school.

Employee Benefits - G - 10  Budget line 910
Retirement assessment comes directly from the the County
Pension will be about 15% of the budget once we get out of the hole
had been paying 1.7M for retiree health, now it is down to 1.05M
major increase in this line is the $555,000 as mentioned during the overview

all health insurance subject to collective bargaining, they have been good 12 of the 13 have been at the table regularly (800 subscribers, 2000 people) (all non-school and retirees)

Schools generally doing most of the layoffs, teachers not renewing get laid off

OPEB had been planned for $100K but with the funds, lets god with $200K now and slowly grow this. we really need 2.7M per year to fund it, that would be our entire increase each year....

Compensation reserve increase due to the unsettled fire contract, which outstanding requirements increase for another year. what is unused (due to unsettled contracts gets into 'free cash'

Human Resources - A-21  Budget line 152
Police exam didn't cost the Town, the applicants admission fees paid for the exam
promotional exam already in Police Budget, that we do pay for

Town Council - A -1   Budget line 111
minor increase for conference admission fees

Town Administrator A - 2   budget line 123
increase here due to shift in hours from Town Clerk as mentioned

Finance Committee  A - 4  Budget line 131
minor increase for conference admission fees

Comptroller  A -5  Budget line 135
looking to replace a retiree at the end of the year and provide some overlap

Assessors - A - 10   Budget line 141
minor expense increase, less than $5K
usually get a 5-8 fold payback for the expense so it helps

Treasurer/Collector   A -14   Budget line 147
UNibank dropped the ball on the $.25 increase
10-15% use the online bill pay
100 people use the drive up window about this time with excise taxes due

Legal - A - 19   Budget line 151
can hardly measure the cost avoidance for this but likely proceless
reviews contracts before they out the door
works on the real estate deals
working on all the bylaws, still a couple left to do
if we get sued, 99% we are covered by insurance
works with the assessors to cover the appeals to the Tax Board
pretty cheap legal budget for the size of the operations we have
The School do have a separate legal coverage for special ed

more than 20 hours a week counts for benefits, and thereby is 'permanent'
good for some folks but not for everyone as there are some continuity issues

Appeals Board   A -37    Budget line 176
purely advertisement fees, paid for by the applicants

Central Services   A - 50   Budget line 196
covers the copy machines, Iron Mountain records storage
postage machine rental use
postage except for schools covered here
annual report printing comes from this line too

Animal Control  B - 56   Budget line 292
regional agreement with Bellingham
24 hours coverage provided
animal pound down by the DPW facility

Parking Meters  B - 58  Budget line 293
looking to replace the existing meters
pricing for use of credit cards prohibitive
coins or swipe cards
busy is good, if people are parked downtown, then the meals tax revenue will increase
mostly for maintenance for the existing meters
meters and fines pay for the small lot rental and meters

Memorial Day - F - 12    Budget line 692
flags for the veterans

Cultural Council   F - 13   Budget Line 695
cultural events and grants

Debt  G - 1   Budget line 710/750
next year peak year for debt, then we get available capacity
debt ratio in historical data, (page 10)
policy of Council is to not exceed 3.5%
debt is level principle, declining interest - hence able to build capacity
one more small debt financing for the high school when it finishes

General Insurance  G - 22   Budget line 945
a plug number, a best guess until the numbers are available
the old high school cost 9M to build
the contents alone for the building is a staggering amount

collective bargaining agreements are 2.5%
some increases are due to step increases
so there amount will vary from department to department

240 employees, all non union part timers except for the library
all management are non-union (probably 50-60 total)

HR does market analysis; some jobs are easier to compare than others


old business
new business - meeting  Thursday 3/13

end of Mar/Apr will need to talk about the capital budget

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed