So let me try and recap the override situation:
The town budget takes multiple hits, one rather visible hit reduces the library to 4 days operation. This step kicks in a sequence of events that come next year will remove the capability of obtaining a book via the interlibrary loan system. Not because of the Minuteman system itself, but due to each communities local administration removing this service from members of communities that are in financial trouble.
Franklin is already operating at a reduced fire department. Per national standard, Franklin should have 60 and we have 48.
Franklin is also operating at a reduced police department. Per national standard, Franklin should have 61 and we have 46.
The Department of Public Works gets to continue operating keeping things together with equipment that according to most standard replacement cycles should already have been replaced but won’t be this year.
Franklin’s seniors will get to look at the new Senior Center under construction on Oak Street. Oh, and unless something significant changes, that is all they will be able to do, look. The capital budget was approved to build the facility. There is no money to actually open it and operate it.
Franklin's debt is well managed. In the last seven years, the debt as a percent of the total budget has increased less than 1 full percent (actually 0.9%). The debt service increases only $166,000 on the $80 odd million budget. The debt is not a significant factor in Franklin’s problem. To put this in perspective, if you were to try to obtain a mortgage to purchase a house, the bank or lenders generally won’t let the individuals loan amount exceed 30% of their income. Franklin debt is only 2.7%.
The schools will lose approximately 29 people, primarily teachers, even if the override passes. If the override fails, the amount of people losing their positions grows to approx. 76. Yes, there are want ads in the Boston Globe because while some positions are being eliminated, there are other people who may also be retiring or being replaced that those whose positions are being cut may not be able to switch over and cover the position.
If the override fails, the busing fees will increase dramatically. Currently the town pays about half what it costs to bus a student. The parent/family would have to pick up the total cost.
School sports fees will increase from the current $100 per sport per season to approx $400.
The Music program in the elementary and middle school levels would be reduced.
None of these are good situations. These are all harsh choices.
You, Franklin voters need to decide what you want for the town.
Vote May 22
If the School department is so broke as the claim, then how does the superintendent justify daily catered luncheons to his department almost daily? What line item in their budget does this amount fall into...micellaneous expenses? When he was questioned about this, his response was "I guess we'll have to sneak it in through the back door if we're being noticed". Whereafter, he and Mr. Nutting had a soft chuckle. How arrogant. I believe my husband has to provide his own lunch everyday at his fortune 500 company
ReplyDeleteThe Superintendent's office also has the finest in decor, while a floor below the Municipal offices are put together with makeshift furniture.
Also, why do we have to fill the principal position at this time when Interim Principal Wilkinison has done a fine job at the high school over the past 2 years. That salary alone could save 3 teaching positions.
Also, how many unnecessary aides are there in the system. Why are we paying aides and losing wonderful teachers?
Why are we building a new, elaborate senior center when we have a vacant building at the 4 corners? I don't want to deprive our wonderful seniors at all of this, but couldn't we have renovated that building to suit their needs. Did the town agree to build that building just to tell those seniors, well we need the override partly because of that beatiful building we built for you? You can't guilt these people, they do not deserve that at this point in their lives. Not only are they struggling to pay their taxes, but how about how much they have to pay for necessary medicines that they need?
While people write in saying it will only cost an individual tax payer such and such an amount...well are you people paying college tuitions, along with increased prices at the pumps and in the grocery stores, along with the everyday expenses a family incurs?
How many Town automobiles sit behind the Municipal building unused and yet we pay for them? How much is left unused in the town budget that they spend unnecessarily so they won't lose that amount in the next year's budget?
How about the poor seniors who struggle to pay their taxes now on their fixed social security income? Should they really have to be faced with losing their homes at this stage in their life by the mismanagement of funds by this town?
They always come back and threaten our children's education because they know a parent's vulnerability - their children.
I do not want to hurt the children in this town at all - I have children in this school system, but I do not trust what these people who are saying we're broke when they make the decisions they've made when the budget is so tight.
When a household is running on a tight budget, we don't go out and say let's put on an addition or two! You make due with what you have until you can afford it.
I believe Mr. Nutting, our Town Council, and the Superintendent should be held accountable for putting the people in this town in such a predictament.
We've had 3 override votes and they have all failed, and surprise, the town has found the money.
Why aren't we doing dual tax rates for the corporations in this town?
I wonder if the officials in this town would make the decisions they have made if they actually lived in this town. Their taxes will not be affected.
There is something very wrong going on here.
Maybe this should be another 20/20 story for John Stossel's "Give me a Break".