Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Live reporting: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #2 - 4/18/18

Present: Dufour, Dowd, Conley, Huempfner, Weich, Fleming, Moses, Smith, Dewsnap 


Absent:  none



Fiscal 2019 budget document (160+ pages of good reading)
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/fy19_complete_budget_fincom_with_page_numbers_0.pdf

Budget Hearing #1 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html


1.    Call to Order
2.    Public Comments
3.    Approval of Minutes

4.    FY2019 Budget Presentations:




Dept.




Tab
Recreation
630
Culture and Recreation
Library
610
Culture and Recreation
Town Clerk
161
General Government
Elections
164
General Government
Fire
220
Public Safety
Police
210
Public Safety
Dispatch
225
Public Safety


motion to approve the minutes for hearing #1, seconded passed 9-0

Recreation, Ryan Jette
budget basically straight forward as it is self supporting with fee revenue

new programs - strength and conditioning for MS
pickle ball, dodge ball
baseball training with batting cages
street hockey program will be indoor Thursday due to the rain

approx 5800 registered for a program last year, should see a slight increase this year

building getting a lot of use, meetings, CPR training 


Library, Felicia Oti
up 63,000 (still short 99K+ short of required amount by State, will have to file for waiver)
8 weekly regularly scheduled programs, getting ready for kindergarten; tweens and teens, looking to add a science program, and weekend program

the building is wonderful, power outlets and wifi throughout the building

Q - formula established by State?
A - average of last three years and then increased by 2.5%
we should be about 1M to meet the requirement; trying to walk our way up to 110%

windows on the 3rd floor on the Dean side need to be replaced/repaired

waiting for the new gate to get put in so the building can be used after hours

Town Clerk, Elections - Teresa Burr
state primary and state election later this year, other than that no real changes
dog resitrations were due Apr 1

DPW just went live with all their fees a couple of weeks ago
other permitting agencies likely later this summer

Police - Chief out of town, deputy got called away
move item to next Tuesday schedule

Dispatch - building under construction, should be open for 6 months during the FY 2019 year; dispatchers here will move their
47% of the operations is our share of the regional operation

walk in service after hours at the Fire Dept in future will be served via remote camera from the MEC

walk in at Police Station needs to be worked out how to keep someone there

approx 23 dispatchers across the four communities, we have about 16-18 positions available which is why we are consolidating

Jamie Hellen - 
DEP announced a DPW water grant for $80K
will save from operations, and get credit for green community work as well

open space is only for Land purchase, property acquisition is mostly for property maintenance; helps to cover some of the HVAC or other systems that might be needed in a rush

free cash is approx $500K after covering the snow/ice overage
will wait until June to put it towards roads

when the apartments go to Dean Ave, a 'gift' of $700K will come to the town for the road and sidewalks as part of the development

May 16-17 for Town Council budget hearings
next Tuesday, Schools Police and Tech at 6:00 PM 3rd floor training room






Chili & Chowder Challenge - April 29

Please join us for a Chili and Chowder Challenge to support the Relay For Life of Western Norfolk County at the Medway VFW post 1526 on April 29 from Noon - 4 PM. 

Some of the best restaurants and fire departments around will be presenting their version of chili and chowder for you to enjoy and vote on. There will be a DJ, Raffles, Silent Auctions, Free Ice Cream and more Chili and Chowder than you can eat. 

Tickets are on sale now and are $10.00 with advanced purchase or $20.00 at the door. 

Contact Bill if you would like a ticket, have any questions or would like to help support the Challenge, donations are gladly accepted. 

Bill 508-254-9008 or Billdff@yahoo.com


Please take a moment to support these local business and fire departments that will be at the Challenge this year. (in no particular order)


  • PJ's Bar and Grill
  • PJ's Smoke "N" Grill
  • Union Street Grill
  • Uptown Pub
  • Restaurant 45
  • Jandl Catering
  • Carnivores All American BBQ
  • Dirty Steve's Famous Wing Sauce!
  • Napper Tandy's Millis
  • Teddy Gallagher's
  • T.C. Scoops
  • Medfield Fire Department
  • Medway Firefighters Local 4602
  • Hose Heads Chili Team
  • Westwood Fire
  • Norwood Firefighters Local 1631
  • Norfolk Fire - MA
  • Needham Firefighters - Local 1706
  • Wrentham Fire Department


https://www.facebook.com/events/1457567887706401/



Chili & Chowder Challenge - April 29
Chili & Chowder Challenge - April 29

Franklin 2018 Boston Marathon Results

A search of the BAA Marathon Results for Franklin residents returns the following two screen shots. Congratulations to all who persevered in the weather on Monday.

You can use this link to find additional results or more information about the race:  
http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/results-commentary/2018-boston-marathon/2018-results-search.aspx


Franklin 2018 Boston Marathon Results - page 1
Franklin residents 2018 Boston Marathon Results - page 1

Franklin 2018 Boston Marathon Results - page 2
Franklin residents 2018 Boston Marathon Results - page 2

FHS girls lacrosse fall to Medfield 7-5

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS spring sports action on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.


Girls Lacrosse = Medfield, 7 @ Franklin, 6 – Final


For other results around the Hockomock League https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-17-18/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers





Franklin Public Library: Whalemobile and Storytime Fiesta

Two programs are scheduled for the Franklin Library today. Whalemobile at 10:30 AM and Storytime Fiesta at 1:00 PM


Franklin Public Library: Whalemobile
Franklin Public Library: Whalemobile


Franklin Public Library: Storytime Fiesta
Franklin Public Library: Storytime Fiesta
This was shared from the Franklin Library page
https://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2018/04/april-vacation-programs-at-franklin.html

“We are pleased to promote our values in the communities we serve”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Direct Federal Credit Union is offering a $3,000 scholarship for a 2018 graduate of Franklin High School, with an application deadline of April 30. 
Scholarship recipients will be selected based on personal essays that demonstrate the use of one of Direct Federal’s values in their everyday lives: Drive, integrity, resilience, engagement, competence and teamwork. 
“We are proud to offer $3,000 to a graduate of Franklin High School. Over the last couple of years we have received many great applications and we encourage all students at Franklin High School to apply this year,” said David Walsh, director of community relations at Direct Federal Credit Union. “We are pleased to promote our values in the communities we serve.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180417/direct-federal-credit-union-offering-scholarship-for-franklin-high-students

https://www.direct.com/
https://www.direct.com/

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Live reporting: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #1 - 4/17/18

Present: Dufour, Dowd, Conley, Huempfner, Weich, Fleming, Moses, Smith, Dewsnap 
Absent:  none


Fiscal 2019 budget document (160+ pages of good reading)
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/fy19_complete_budget_fincom_with_page_numbers_0.pdf


1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments
none


3. Approval of Minutes
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


4. FY 2019 Budget Presentations:
Dept.
Tab
overview provided by Jeff Nutting
See the budget doc for the details
proposing to use the budget stabilization account this year, without making dramatic changes;
Board of Health and Inspection being merged, using an outsourced contractor to do the inspections
with almost $2M in the bank, you don't go ask citizens for more money
you can't just have a one year fix, that is not sustainable

Veterans












543












Human Services
Council on Aging
541
Human Services

Inspections

240

Public Safety
Health
510/525
Human Services
ZBA
176
General Government
Planning/Conservation
177
General Government
Assessors
141
General Government
Treasurer/Collector
147
General Government
Comptroller
135
General Government
Human Resources
152
General Government
Facilities
192
General Government

Veterans - Dale hired via arrangement with County although working here in Franklin
got some clients to get employed and as they did, they dropped off the roll
VA benefits get reimbursed at 75% rate

Veterans walkway, funding by selling bricks through VFW
walkway along the common near the war memorial end

Council on Aging -Karen Alves
$200K funded by Town but grants and other funding sources also provide the services for the seniors
asking for 7 hours for health services nurse
housing, fuel assistance and social needs are the three top drivers
dozens of homeless folks over the last several years

Open House Saturday - Apr 21 from 10 to 1:00 PM

Inspections - Gus Browm
will combine Planning, Health and Building to actually provide better service

Fire Dept - Capt Gary McCarragher
new deputy coming later this year
increased call volume by 9.5%, first Q another 5%
more calls through 3/4 than we did 5 years ago
hence a lot of pressure on the system, back to back to calls
mutual aid then needs to help, which drives up the average response times
we need an additional level of supervision to help provide support
we were dealing with a meth lab, a medical emergency and another call
training when there are no calls, it can be handled, with our call volume it gets challenging
vehicle maintenance is increasing, may need another vehicle to reduce that

14 employees with less than 5 years experience, another 5 to be replaced soon

5 hours out of 24 he can't respond due to the system is already busy

minimum staffing now at 9 when we should be at ten
working on wellness program to help avoid injuries and injury rates
60% of retirees retire on a line of duty injury; not good

did request an additional 8 firefighter/EMTs to help with response times, injury avoidance and reduce the mutual aid calls

would take an override to provide the support and sustain it

Board of Health, budget down $19K due to staff reduction (re-alignment mentioned above)

typo page 85 of the budget doc the Administration and FinCom are using

Planning and Community Development, Bryan Taberner
minor corrections being applied to the numbers

due to toner replacement plan, some adjustments are being made to dept budgets to reflect the changes

Assessors, Kevin Doyle
no real changes, COLA increase and nothing more
incorporated update to the mapping for 911 system

Treasurer/Collector, Chris Saldini
anticipate hiring a deputy collector later this year, to keep succession plan going

Controller, now a Finance Director (no longer a Controller)

HR, 
personnel replacing Stephanie, added money for physicals for new hires
schools do their own hiring and physicals (on their budget)

Facilities, D'Angelo - can't be here tonight but can come next week
new bid of contract for electricity now 10 was 7 cents

Water/Sewer
preventive maintenance software implemented

90% of our electricity comes from solar, most of the schools are or will be LED liaghting
couldn't get to 20% reduction from baseline, could only get to 19.5% as we were already efficient

approx 1700 lights in town, will do in chunks of 100-200 at a time
awaiting NationalGrid to reconcile the data to put the final plan in place

DPW - wage increase due to collective bargaining
snow and ice increase planned, award from State on water system
last year was the first year in over 20 with an increase in personnel (2)
within months of updating the pavement management plan (likely June)
likely a presentation to Council when ready
without March the snow/ice budget would have been good, up about 200K over budget

Street Lights
424
Public Works
DPW
440
Public Works
Enterprise
450
Enterprise
Tri-County
390
Education
Norfolk Aggie
395
Education
Employee Benefits
910
General Government
Liability Insurance
945
General Government
Debt Service
710/750
General Government
Town Council
111
General Government
Town Administrator
123
General Government
Finance Committee
131
General Government
Legal
151
General Government
Central Services
196
General Government
Animal Control
292
Public Safety
Historical Commission
691
Culture and Recreation
Memorial Day
692
Culture and Recreation
Cultural Council
695
Culture and Recreation


Enterprise accounts (Water/Sewer, Trash)
rate increases coming, Charles River assessment increasing and primary driver

bond authorization likely coming in May for wells 3/6 approx 17M expense for the repairs required

water meter replacement is more about equity for everyone, could have an individual variance but globally it should not be material

$4 increase in trash budget

Tri-County - assessment
based upon student enrollment, with October's enrollment
will be looking for an increase sometime to help repairs for the roof, HVAC, etc.
did go to MA School Building but did not get approved

Employee Benefits - 
pension up 8-9% to catch up on funding schedule
health costs only a 4.5% increase, helps a lot this year
Insurance Health Advisory committee gets all the credit on keeping the reductions to the minimum
town active, all town and school retirees are covered by this Town line item; school cover their active employees with their budget

68/32 split for supplemental insurance
45 cities/towns in GIC (of the 351 in MA)

Debt Schedule
high school doesn't affect the general fund as it is debt excluded
library debt to increase next year but others come off, so we'll have some debt capacity

Town Council
mostly MMA dues and some professional development

Town Administrator, increase only due to wage adjustments

FinCom, mostly advertising, budget books, etc.($1500) $0 on one page (an error to be fixed)

Legal budget
also includes money for labor attorney, arbitration, etc.
all collective bargaining expires at end of this fiscal year

Central Services
postage, copiers, toner, etc.

Animal Control
long standing agreement with Bellingham for this splitting coverage

Historical Commissin
hoping for part-time staff at some point for technical storage help

Memorial Day
mostly for the flags

Cutural Council
ArtWeek coming up this month, easy and small increase with great potential returns


what are the next big projects?
recycling center will be an item once the state land transfer takes place
will need to file a capping plan; est $3M (swag)

police station, addition and renovation sometime
dispatchers will have left

water is the biggest one (paid for by the water rates)
sewer - Beaver St intercepter the big one

eventually roofs will need to be replaced
maybe an opportunity to buy some land

you can borrow money for roads but you're really just chasing your tail with interst esxpense

motion to adjourn



Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - FY 2019 Budget Hearing #2 - April 18, 2018

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 
at 7:00 PM 
Franklin Town Hall
2nd Floor Council Chambers



AGENDA

1.    Call to Order
2.    Public Comments
3.    Approval of Minutes
4.    FY2019 Budget Presentations:



Dept.



Tab
Recreation
630
Culture and Recreation
Library
610
Culture and Recreation
Town Clerk
161
General Government
Elections
164
General Government
Fire
220
Public Safety
Police
210
Public Safety
Dispatch
225
Public Safety


This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/finance_committee_agenda_4-18-18_revised.pdf

The Town of Franklin Budget page  http://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - FY 2019 Budget Hearing #2 - April 18, 2018
Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - FY 2019 Budget Hearing #2 - April 18, 2018

Franklin resident struggles with Lyme disease. Can you help?

Jackson (Jack) Montgomery is young man from Franklin who has been fighting a battle with Lyme disease. A GoFundMe page has been created to help with the costs of this fight for health. The article  linked below provides additional details about his diagnosis, medical care to date, and the deep debt incurred by his parents to provide medical care. 

Jack's family has recently identified a new course of treatment that could provide a significant improvement in his quality of life; however the cost is quite significant. And you can help!

https://www.gofundme.com/jmontgomery

"Despite his illness, Jack has persevered academically. He is one of the hardest working individuals you could imagine. This affable young man is adored by his peers; and their parents too! Jack graduated from Franklin High last year and has an impressive academic and leadership record:

  • 4.0 GPA weighted
  • 4 Year Active Peer leader, headed committees
  • 3 year class representative in student government
  • President of French National Honor Society
  • 3 Year peer mentor
  • 3 Year worker of freshman high school experience
  • 5 AP classes


Every donation helps get Jack closer to the treatment he needs."

https://www.gofundme.com/jmontgomery

Franklin resident struggles with Lyme disease. Can you help?
Franklin resident struggles with Lyme disease. Can you help?

Review of Town Council Procedures - Apr 18 - 6:00 PM

The Town Council subcommittee looking to update the procedures that govern a Town Council meeting are scheduled to meet Wednesday, April 18 at 6:00 PM

The current procedure document marked up with the proposed changes can be found online and copied here for convenience

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/review_of_town_council_procedures_committee_meeting_4-18-18.pdf

or  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1N_eoieiXhFWPiaSSLtWo_01VDTXmLRA0



Review of Town Council Procedures - Apr 18 - 6:00 PM
Review of Town Council Procedures - Apr 18 - 6:00 PM


Franklin Newcomers and Friends to host Jeff Nutting May 2

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club will host Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting as our speaker. He'll update us on what's going on in town and he'll answer your questions. This is always one of our most popular meetings as it's very informative. Please join us for our monthly meeting at 7:30 PM, Wednesday, May 2 at Restaurant "3". To accommodate our speaker, we're meeting a week earlier than usual.

We invite any resident of Franklin, or a surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, to join us at "3" Restaurant, 461 West Central Street, Franklin. Complimentary appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available. This is our last regular meeting of our calendar year.

We typically hold our meetings the 2nd Wednesday of the month, September through May. Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year. Look for us on Meetup.com, Facebook and our website, www.franklinnewcomers.com, to see what events we have coming up.

Franklin Newcomers and Friends to host Jeff Nutting May 2
Franklin Newcomers and Friends to host Jeff Nutting May 2

Franklin Library - "Creature Teachers" and "Minute to Win It"

Two programs are scheduled for the Franklin Library today. Creature Teachers at 10:30 AM and Minute to Win it at 1:00 PM


Franklin Library - "Creature Teachers"
Franklin Library - "Creature Teachers"


Franklin Library - "Minute to Win It"
Franklin Library - "Minute to Win It"

This was shared from the Franklin Library posting on the programs for April school vacation week
https://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2018/04/april-vacation-programs-at-franklin.html

In the News: Jones to Haiti again; comfort care and 'conversation project'

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"As a member of the town council, Glenn Jones is among those who seeks to help out his community. 
This week, he spreading that wealth of community service to another community, more than 1,000 miles away in Haiti, considered to be the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Accompanying him is another generation of community servants: His 17-year-old daughter, Jillian. 
Members of the New England Chapel, the Joneses have been on prior missions, but not together. Jillian, a junior at Franklin High School, went on a Mustard Seeds mission trip to Jamaica last year. 
As for Glenn Jones, Haiti has become a familiar place. It’s his third trip back and he has become such a familiar figure to the people from his past trips that he’s earned the nickname “Dig Dig” -- “because the first time we went all we did was dig.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180416/franklin-councilor-daughter-in-haiti-on-mission-trip


"As she nears death at age 92, former first lady Barbara Bush’s announcement that she is seeking “comfort care” is shining a light — and stirring debate — on what it means to stop trying to fight terminal illness. 
Bush, the wife of former President George H.W. Bush, has been suffering from congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to family spokesman Jim McGrath. 
In a public statement Sunday, the family announced she has decided “not to seek additional medical treatment and will focus on comfort care.” 
The announcement comes amid a national effort to define and document patients’ wishes, and consider alternatives, before they are placed on what has been described as a “conveyor belt” of costly medical interventions aimed at prolonging life."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180416/barbara-bushs-end-of-life-decision-stirs-debate-over-comfort-care

The Conversation Project can be found online  https://theconversationproject.org/

The conversation starter kit will lead a couple through the conversation about end of life planning  https://theconversationproject.org/starter-kits/

The Conversation Project
The Conversation Project