LIVE BLOG: Framingham Town Meeting 2012 - Day 11

will be live blogging, using our Cover it Live platform. Feel free to interact with us.

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Town Meeting members will be discussing, debating, and voting on line items from the municipal and school operating budgets - Article 34, again tonight!

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Cover it Live transcript posted below

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Wednesday May 16, 2012

7:28 Town Meeting members have been arriving and checking in ,,, Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:28  7:28 Town Meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. or when a quorum is reached. Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:28  7:34 Town Meeting members are still on Article 34 - discussion of the town and school budget ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:34  7:38 Moderator has asked for quiet in the hall and for Town Meeting members to take their seats Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:38  7:39 Moderator addressing electronic voting issues Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:39  7:40 Screens are difficult to read - Moderator - at this point can't make any changes with the screen size, size or font ---something we can work on down the road.
"There are seats in the front" says the moderator Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:40  7:41 TEST QUESTION --- electronic voting
Should the Red Sox consider 2012 a rebuilding year and trade some of their star players?? Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:41  7:44 Yes - 40
No - 32
abstain - 37
Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:44  7:44 moderator asking for any announcements - none Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:44  7:45 CFO speaking -- Senate budget - released today - not a final budget -- needs to be voted in 5 days -- state aid is higher than what we have programmed in the budget - general government is higher - chapter 70 is $1.5 million higher Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:45  7:46 If the senate number does not prevail - we are okay
If the senate does prevail - $1.5 miillion more ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:46  7:47 1.5% levy -- surplus of $1.584
at 1% levy - $767,000
0 percent level - $865,000 in the hole


what do we do know?
We do nothing says CFO - as budget is not final
final state budget not likely to be finalized until late June Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:47  7:48 if you don't appropriate the additional aid -- it will reduce the levy
if you use all of the additional senate - if it comes through - it would be a 0.5% levy increase.

Town had suggested a 1/5% levy for next year ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:48  7:49 Moderator has called meeting to order - quorum is present Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:49  7:49 ARTICLE 34
Health Department budget Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:49  7:50 Pass -- Steven Orr - Town Meeting member 1
Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:50  7:50 Moderator -- committee reports first Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:50  7:50 Betty Funk -- Fincom - chair speaking Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:50  7:51 $777,824 - health dept budget
met with the health board 3 times
honored the emergency request from reserve fund for $90,000
for FY 13 - we initially wanted to reduce the consultant amount by $100,000
met last night -- and we have 4-2-0 to recommend favorable action on the total health budget Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:51  7:52 Funk: Detail plan for spending developed and shared with fincom
estimated cost and estimated legal costs -- developed
this is a department where the consulatnt line item is growing rapidly

Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:52  7:52 secondly --- board of health will meet and give updates to fincom in quarterly basis Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:52  7:53 Do continue that Town Meeting should be kept up to date with the board of health
concerned with the growth in consultant line item -- but we understand why it needs to be addressed, including and above the general chemical situation
fincom is watching the situation very closely Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:53  7:54 [Comment From Bob Bob : ] Sweet, $1.5 million more, let's get three more fire trucks!!! Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:54 Bob 7:54 Orr says his questions have been answered by fincom Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:54  7:54 Dennis Paulsen - precinct 9 - vice chair public works speaking Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:54  7:56 March 29th this year - resident approached - frustrated with the town - something going on for several year in a neighborhood -- asphalt issues -- contacted board of health and inspectors out there -- residents felt the town has ignored him.
Frustrated to see a citizen come before he town and feel frustrated...
serious allegation -- even if a few were true - it would be disturbing...
Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:56  7:57 bylaws do not allow commercial vehicles to go on secondary streets
DEP permit to grind asphalt - perhaps DEP misled by the company
the material came from neighboring towns but not Framingham

on March 31st - went on a tour of the property with selectmen and some of the neighbors ...Danforth Green property tour -- there had been some illegal dumping going there to me... Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:57  7:58 bothers me most that this neighbor/resident contacted the town repeatedly and never got a satisfactory response ...like to ask ... town employees and representative - when citizen have a legit concern -- thet we do the proper due diligence ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:58  7:58 Chair of Board of Health Michael Hugo speaking Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:58  7:59 Thank the fincom for meeting with us ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:59  7:59 keenly aware of the issues Paulsen has raised.
Board of health has met with that resident 2 or 3 times for several hours Wednesday May 16, 2012 7:59  8:00 When the citizen came to use more than a year ago - wife had been diagnosed with lung cancer -- dust affecting his wife -- that time met with the chair of the selectmen -- worked out with DPW to move the staging area .. it is not that we are non responsive ... there is pending legal action going on ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:00  8:01 we take these issues extremely seriously .. part of the money to be approved for you tonight -- will be used on this "'ellingwood situation" Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:01  8:01 it is an ongoing issue
ask for indulgence of Town Meeting
ongoing issue and taking some time - extremely complicated issues
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:01  8:01 Town Meeting member Kathy McCarthy - precinct 10 speaking Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:01  8:02 Thanks the board of health and all of those working on the environmental issues we face in this town ... are there other issues the chair of board of health can share with us ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:02  8:02 or meeting for precinct members on issues in their neighborhoods??? Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:02  8:03 HUGO speaking -- I can show 4-5 issues of environmental concerns Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:03  8:03 909 inspections
3,000 inspection a year with 3 inspectors Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:03  8:04 Map of Framingham - 21E map -- reportable hazardous waste site
511 21E sites
Boston has 1,000 sites
New Bedford has more
Fall river has less
We have more than Chelsea

Framingham is a mess
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:04  8:04 This town has been treated like a toilet for too many people who have come into thsi town.. Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:04  8:05 dumping things here and there....
we say NOT - not anywhere
Framingham is done being anybody's toilet! - Hugo
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:05  8:05 We are not allowing people to come in anymore to dump in our town Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:05  8:06 Framingham one of less than 10 in all of Massachusetts that has all 4 of the environmental justice qualifications -- makes us eligible for some grants
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:06  8:06 our time to hold the polluters accountable -- that is what we have done with General Chemical Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:06  8:07 Clean ventures is staying ... applied to move to the building across the street Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:07  8:07 We held the DEP to the fire and forced them to pay attention to the fine print -- DEP didn't ask us to make comments ... consultant saw it and we stopped the clock... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:07  8:09 Waverly/Fountain -- map of pollution - from the AT&T building and stops at Farm Pond. It doesn't really stop there it runs into Farm Pond. It is running into the pond.

Engineers have worked it out with their engineers. He is showing slides of the plume. Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:09  8:10 Callahan Senior Center area -- money that fincom free up to give us consultants -- DEP let us know they were coming after us -- building is polluted underneath it - discharges under building going into the river ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:10  8:12 Framingham has a higher than mean average of cancer Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:12  8:14 Bu to help with study says Hugo
Town Meeting members clap for Hugo's presentation Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:14  8:15 Larry Schmeidler -- ask question
expert of toxicity -- talked about asphalt -- has he updated the medical research in that area? Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:15  8:15 Hugo -- environmental attorney -- go back to the woburn days -- I think you are asking about doing health studies on the asphalt

It is being done ... Hugo Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:15  8:15 Primarily done by TRC -- very sophisticated .. Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:15  8:16 very concerned as they are picking up asphalt off the street and they are grinding it and saying it is clean .. I'm very concerned ... also concerned about the piles on that property leeching into the ground and possibly into the wells. Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:16  8:16 we are really on top of that issue - Hugo Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:16  8:17 TMM12 - Brad -- 2 questions?
technical and responsibility questions Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:17  8:18 budget question -- very large figure for professional & technical services -- and under neath that three areas -- why isn't that larger number broken up .. so we can see the environmental health budget - how the $300,000 is used. Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:18  8:18 Hugo -- technical services include nursing services Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:18  8:19 CFO -- question on the summary page -- breakdown -- Envionmental health - $112,000 .. breakdown by Board of Health and public health nursing ... but not broken down by vendor by broken down by purpose Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:19  8:20 question about maps of Framingham -- sudbury river and farm pond -- who is responsible for cleaning the water ways up?? Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:20  8:21 HUGO -- we are working with the DEP - trying to hold the responsible parties to the fire -- AT&T brought it to our attention ...they came to us - we have a problema nd needs to be addressed - I think we will find that there are other sources of chemical plumes on that site ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:21  8:23 Betty Muto - TMM12 -- appreciate the board of health making a presentation .. we have established in our community that the dry cleaners have been polluting for almost 10 years .. 21E placed on that building ... neighborhood has been subjected to this and now the Callahan Center .. all we know is that a 21E is very difficult to handle ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:23  8:24 we also have the Sudbury River which is being affected ...
that has been a difficult situation as well
ask -- how much longer is it going to take the town & the DEP to clean up this site? Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:24  8:25 Hugo -- respectful answer --- issue we have identified -- about two years ago -- working on for a year -- cleanup -- don't know how to project -- it could be worse than we know ... we are still defining it - Hugo Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:25  8:25 we have identified the sources -- we are not as a town on the hook - Hugo
we do need to stay on top of the DEP - it could take years - no way to knwo - have to start somewhere ...Hugo Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:25  8:26 Betty quick followup -- Framingham should become more active ... in bringing this to the DEP .. the plume ... is now the Callahan Center ... strongly feel ... that we have to be more diligent - we can't wait numbers of years Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:26  8:27 Dixon moved the question - 2/3rd ote needed
Moved by hand vote Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:27  8:27 VOTE for health - $777,824
e-voting
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:27  8:29 yes -
no - 4
abstain - 2
PASSED Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:29  8:30 Economic Development -- $336,049
Zoning - $85,849

pass on Eco dev Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:30  8:31 Committee reports
Betty Funk - fincom -- chair speaking Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:31  8:32 ultimately voted favorable on this 5-1-1 on April 24
but before cast vote -- extrordinary difficult discussion
all well-are of work selectmen have been doing
many of us hold selectmen responsible for economic development
it is really very difficult to be on top of this ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:32  8:32 that role - as defined - is not the role we need at this time - Funk
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:32  8:33 we decided to recommend this budget -- has internal responsibilities
give us just a moment -- resolution --
something needs to be done -- we certianly see the potential Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:33  8:34 Funk - resolution -- this town meeting concern of long term impact of stagnant properties and new commercial development ...
Town Meeting request selectmen & town manager review all aspects of economic development Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:34  8:35 refocus attention - on specific and quantative economic goals and tasks to achieve them - and goals measured on results on a quarterly basis Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:35  8:36 Director of economic development has a presentation for TMM Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:36  8:36 Alison Steinfeld - director of community & ecodev speaking Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:36  8:36 under proposition 2.5 only one way to expend tax base - new growth
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:36  8:37 communities have a choice to accept new growth ...
we have location, access, infrastruction, educated workforce ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:37  8:38 if the choice is made to promote new development and then make a committement to atrract and sustain new deveopment and listen to the business community... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:38  8:38 we do have to be realistic ... Framingham is essentially a development community
state law can restrict what we can do .
tech park stands as a committment of what the town can do Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:38  8:39 we re-zone tech park to accommodate high tech expansion Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:39  8:41 we need to create a business -friendly attitude ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:41  8:42 Editor's Note: For those texting -- maybe the School budget will begin its presentation and dicussion after the 9 p.m. break ... There are two more department after Economic development before we get to education...
Framingham Public Schools is first and then Keefe Technical Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:42  8:42 Need to address the split tax rate
we are at a crossroads
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:42  8:43 intergrate the recommendations of the master plan - to define and guide and facilitate appropriate development and at the same time protecting and enhancing the neighborhoods Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:43  8:44 support the fincom's resolution - town of Framingham made a choice to support and encouarge economic development Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:44  8:44 ***
Committee reports - ways & means - Audrey Hall chair speaking Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:44  8:45 april 30th - met with fincom to discuss the proposed resolution
agree that this is very important - and approach this with a unified message withs pecific gaols in mind ...look at where we want to go ..
8-1-0 to support the fincom resolution Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:45  8:45 [Comment From Guest Guest : ] Any chance the school budget will come up??? Doesn't look that way yet again! Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:45 Guest 8:46 Yaaslav Cohen - TMM5 -- appreciate what the fincom said
think the resolution is great
personnel costs increasing by $48,000 - 18% increase
what the fincom told us - this department is not meeting expectations
Heard this department is a failure...
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:46  8:47 don't think much has bene achieved
move tor educe the appropriation to $0 dollars from $336,049 Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:47  8:48 [Comment From Guest Guest : ] Where on the agenda are we in relation to the schools? Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:48 Guest 8:48 Editor's Note: For those texting -- maybe the School budget will begin its presentation and dicussion after the 9 p.m. break ... There are two more department after Economic development before we get to education...
Framingham Public Schools is first and then Keefe Technical '


Lloyd Kate - TMM10 - speaking Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:48  8:49 Kaye -- listening to the discussion at ways & means I'm disturbed -- are at what the expectations are .. and what may help the town ...
not going to help the town to wipe out departments ..simple because you want to get to zero.
I have plenty of problems with this department - but they have also done a lot of good - New York Avenue is an example .. it doesn't happen by itself.
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:49  8:49 [Comment From Guest Guest : ] IT and HR are the last two municipal budget and both should be non-controversial. Based on Patch post, schools should be after those two. Timing probably depends on how much Town Meeting has to weigh in on economic development. Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:49 Guest 8:50 Kaye - we should not wipe out the entire department Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:50  8:51 one reason this department is a failure - it goes to where the policy comes from - the board of sleectmen and I am not blaming that board entirely. Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:51  8:52 That means you are losing the $336,049 - you are zeroing out a half million dolalrs from the CBDG and all the other grants that come to this department - Kaye Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:52  8:52 there are about 6-8 TMM who wish to speak on this issue Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:52  8:53 Maureen Dunne - TMM9 -- sitting on the framingham EDIC
was going to speak to the resolution and motion by Cohen

This is the ultimate throwing out the baby with the bathwater
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:53  8:54 This is one small place that we can move forward - ask you to support the budget endorsed by the fincom and the ways & means committee
absolutely agree with the fincom motion
we need economic development!
hopefully avoid tax increases Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:54  8:55 2 major reasons need economic development
one reason is the services - schools & public safety
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:55  8:55 Dunne -- heard the police chief and traffic safety officers 2 out of 3 are vacant Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:55  8:55 we need more inspections - all these things cost money Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:55  8:55 the other reason - our competitors - is more and more agressive Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:55  8:56 We have 5.5 people in this office .. and our town is fractured with its management
and our competitors are our neighbors, state wide and national ...
recruitment is key ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:56  8:56 Marlbrough used its new meals money to help atrracted businesses to their town with two new staffers Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:56  8:57 Alsion Steinfeld -- brief followup -- speaking -- municipal budget did go up -- in past relied on grants and those grants have dried up .. Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:57  8:58 Dennis Giombetti - vice chair Selectmen speaking -- board first reviewing ..skills of next town manager and one of the critical priorities -- track record in economic development Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:58  8:59 Candidate we chose as the new town manager -- he has that record ...
Halpin - worked at a chamber and regional ECDC
Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:59  8:59 one of the major reasons he was hired was his economic development background ... Giombetti Wednesday May 16, 2012 8:59  9:00 Giombetti - at the end of the day he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the town
support the fincom resolution Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:00  9:01 jake Bajakeian -- TMM11 speaking -- member of the standing committee on planninga nd zoning but speaking for myself -- question
TJX almost left ... if not for the working group headed up by the selectmen -- how close of communication -- to prevent them from leaving? Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:01  9:01 Interim Town Manager Valerie Mulvey speaking Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:01  9:02 led the working group - meeting with senior level - keep working group as small as possible Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:02  9:02 worked on several months - confidential - as per TJX
we were negotiating - no one was excluded - counsel and selectmen involved.. Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:02  9:03 Christine Long Planning Board speaking in regards to question on the master plan Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:03  9:04 we are finalizing the first phase of the master plan ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:04  9:04 this is a real critical time ..we need economci development
stage 2 moving into Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:04  9:04 economic evelopment is very important - Long Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:04  9:05 DeVito - moves the question
2/3rd vote needed
hand vote - MOVED Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:05  9:05 Motion by Cohen - motion to make budget $0
majority vote needed
e-voting Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:05  9:07 yes - 10
no - 131
abstain - 11
MOTION FAILED
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:07  9:09 Move to bottom line of the entire
$421,899
evoting Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:09  9:10 yes 137
no 9
abstain 7
MOTION passed
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:10  9:12 Editor's Note: There is an issue of a woman - TMM having two electronic voting devices
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:12  9:13 fincom motion
evoting
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:13  9:13 yes -
no -
abstain -
Motion passed

Editor's Note: the second device was taken away from that TMM before this last bvote
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:13  9:14 133-12-5 PASSED - (sorry forget to add the vote) Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:14  9:14 Moderator calls for a 10 minute break
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:14  9:24 Moderator called the Town Meeting members back to order Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:24  9:25 Moderator has banged the gavel as Town Meeting members are slow to return... Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:25  9:25 Moderator -- trying to get the hall quiet Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:25  9:25 Moderator -- making an announcement about the e-voting devices Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:25  9:26 at the end of the meeting - do not leave your voting device on the table if you leave. Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:26  9:26 Issue come to my attention -- a Town Meeting member asked another Town Meeting member to make a vote for them on the voting device and that is a no-no
DO NOT ask a Town Meeting member to vote for you on that item
Do not under any circumstances to pass your device to someone else Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:26  9:27 Your vote is very important - it is your vote and not someone else's Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:27  9:27 Technology services - article 34
$1.319 million
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:27  9:27 Pass was called Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:27  9:27 Committee reports - none
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:27  9:28 Kathy Vassar - TMM1 - speaking on the pass
Editor's note - there were 5-6 people who yelled pass Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:28  9:29 Vassar -- in the past 6 months - started getting emails from residents - information they would like to send to department head or a department -- response -- always send an email or call
become aware all the town meeting email addresses have been scrubbed from the website - intentional or inadvertant Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:29  9:29 Can the policy be revised?
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:29  9:30 E-mail addresses will be added back - Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:30  9:31 Bob Berman - TMM4 - speaking -- questions?
update on what the plan is for information services director - gone several years with an interim in that role - search or hire someone? or possibility to remove interim?

Report by technology advisory committe?? Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:31  9:31 Mulvey speaking -- delayed filling the position until the new Town Manager can be involved ... new town amanger should make the decision Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:31  9:32 No technology committee members are present at Town Meeting tonight - moderator
do regret no report -- bring issue to the chair Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:32  9:32 Vote - $1.319 million
e-voting

Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:32  9:34 yes - 130
no - 8
abstain - 8
PASSED Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:34  9:35 Human Resources - $307,149
Veterans services - $391,215
total - $698,864

Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:35  9:35 Pass on human resources
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:35  9:35 committee reports - None Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:35  9:36 Melanie Goddard -- TMM2 -- why jump in budget?
Assistant Town Manager is acting human resources - do we plan to hire one?

CFO -- we are hiring a human resources director thus the increase Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:36  9:38 VOTE - total - HR & Veterans
e-voting

yes - 140
no - 2
abstain - 2
PASSED

157 Town Meeting members present tonight
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:38  9:39 Motion to adjourn -- perhaps start fresh tomorrow night
2/3rd vote needed

Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:39  9:40 Moderator said there is a function at Keefe Tech and another ESL function ..he said it is 9:40 p.m. and would like to move forward Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:40  9:40 NOT adjourn - Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:40  9:40 SCHOOL VOTE NEXT
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:40  9:40 Point of order - Kevin Crotty - TMM7 Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:40  9:41 Motion - to take school tomorrow night
Modertaor - school people will not be here tomorrow night Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:41  9:41 moderator does not accept the motion Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:41  9:43 School budget - publci schools - $96.6 million
TMM called a pass Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:43  9:43 Melanie Goddard - only one item read - Keefe Tech budget was not read
$8.431 million - south middlesex district Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:43  9:44 No pass on Keefe Tech line item
Moderator calls for vote on the Keefe tech assessment
$8.431 million
e-voting
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:44  9:44 [Comment From Beth Beth : ] YAY! Thank you for the heads up!!! Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:44 Beth 9:46 Melanie Goddard - chair of standing committee on education - met three times with Supt James Lynch of South Middlsex District - 5 member towns - Framingham - 71% of 674 students - offers 14 programs
assessment is $8.431 million
Over 60% went on to a 4-year school last year Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:46  9:47 Keefe look diligently to make it a level 1 school - under no child left behind.
assessments based on percentage of student population
There is an honors track added Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:47  9:47 plans to add additional educational program - partnering with Framingham State
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:47  9:47 through negotiated health saving -- now only a 3% increase instead of a proposed 6% increase
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:47  9:48 Keefe working with capital budgets for future years - Goddard Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:48  9:48 May 2 support budget -- 9-0-0 Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:48  9:48 Finance Committee report on Keefe - Funk speaking -- all the reasons outlined by previous speaker -- support budget -- Apirl 18 - 7-0-0 Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:48  9:50 Hall - ways & means - keefe budget report -- april 9th met with Supt Lynch -- through presentation -- very comprehensive - 70% of students from Framingham. 53% of the cost is charged to Framingham
Transportation is up 13%
Keefe looking at a new bus contract possibly next year
issue of key importance is transportation expenses
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:50  9:50 Keefe tech launching a letter writing campaign to state...
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:50  9:53 electronic voting - $8.431 million
yes - 144
no - 1
abstain - 0
PASSED - Keefe Tech budget
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:53  9:53 Framingham Public Schools - budget
Presentation by School Committee chair David Miles
Presentation by School Committee member Adam Blumer
asked for a 20 minute presentation
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:53  9:53 Town Meeting memebrs grant additional time ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:53  9:55 SC Chair Miles speaking -- School Depart generates tons of data
we have been trying to refine how much to give to Town Meeting members
strike a balance between enough information and totally overwhelming you
we hope we have given you the right amount of information
feedback on quantity & quality of information Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:55  9:55 Miles - this budget is NOT menat to bring the school dpeartment to where it was 3 or 5 or 7 years ago ... Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:55  9:55 With Supt Steven Hiersche we have changed our process with our budget
This budget stands on its own - Miles Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:55  9:55 This budget is more long range - have an extra $500,000 this year
this is not a short term view Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:55  9:58 Adam Blumer speaking --
things to be proud of in the district
88% of Class of 2011 planned to go to higher education
86% of 10th graders scored advanced or proficient in grade 10 math
85% in ELA
Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:58  9:59 Blumer
333 students took 861 AP courses
what is not on the slide above is that each is an improvement from the year before Wednesday May 16, 2012 9:59  10:00 Things that cause concern in the FPS
5 tier scale to measure schools
level 3 & level 4 - satte requires changes be made
4 level 3 schools - Barbieri, Brophy, Wilson and Fuller Middle Wednesday May 16, 2012 10:00  10:00 That is a really big concern for us ... Blumer Wednesday May 16, 2012 10:00