Category Archives: Budgets

Brexit to cost Medfield $

Posted on June 28, 2016 | Comments Off on Brexit to cost Medfield $

MMA

MMA alert today –

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

STATE BUDGET WOES DEEPEN, STATE FACING FISCAL 2017 REVENUE GAP OF UP TO $950 MILLION

PLEASE CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY TO ENSURE THAT CITIES AND TOWNS ARE PROTECTED AS LAWMAKERS SEEK TO CLOSE WIDENING FISCAL 2017 DEFICIT

Brexit Vote Destabilizes World Economy, State Leaders Predict Further Loss of Tax Revenue for Fiscal 2017

As we reported in an MMA Action Alert yesterday (Monday), deliberations on the fiscal 2017 state budget have been thrown into disarray by a major slump in state tax collections. Unfortunately, the state’s fiscal picture has darkened even more.

Late yesterday afternoon, Governor Baker announced that the revenue shortfall for fiscal 2017 is likely to be $200 million worse than the gloomy projections made less than two weeks ago, mostly as a result of widespread unrest and financial volatility stemming from the Brexit vote, combined with lower-than-expected tax collections as the state closes fiscal year 2016.

The new estimate is that fiscal 2017 tax revenues will be $650 million to $950 million lower than originally thought.

This is bad news, because a revenue loss of this magnitude will force deep cuts across all aspects of the new state budget. The three separate fiscal 2017 budgets set by the Governor, House and Senate were all based on the original, higher revenue projection, which means all of the plans are out of balance.

The Legislature has passed a temporary 1-month budget to cover state obligations through the end of July and provide some breathing room for legislators while they dramatically scale back their fiscal 2017 budget.

It is imperative to remind your legislators that cities and towns have already set their budgets based on reasonable estimates of local aid and education funding. Any cuts to municipal or school accounts would trigger major budget problems in all 351 cities and towns. Any local aid reductions at this point would be incredibly disruptive, and would force communities to reopen their already-passed budgets and impose mid-year cuts.

Please call your legislators today to oppose cuts to Cherry Sheet Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), Chapter 70 school aid and other municipal and school aid accounts that are included in your local spending plans. Reliance on the property tax to fund municipal and school services is at a 30-year high, and it is too late to pursue tax overrides to replace lost local aid. Any local aid reduction would translate into cuts in essential services and programs that are necessary for our economic growth and stability.

Please Call Your Legislators Today and Ask Them to Protect Local Aid

 

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Posted in Budgets, Financial, Massachusetts Municipal Association, Uncategorized

MMA to Senate on budget

Posted on May 23, 2016 | Comments Off on MMA to Senate on budget

MMA

This was my email this afternoon to Senator Timilty to support the MMA’s analysis of where the state budget discussions that are happening this week in the State Senate should lead:

Jim,

As a Town of Medfield selectman, I ask that you support the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s stated interests in the budget discussions.  Thanks in advance.  I have copied in below the MMA’s stated interests:

 

Monday May 23, 2016

SENATORS SET TO DEBATE FISCAL 2017 BUDGET

DEBATE WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY, MAY 24

1,167 AMENDMENTS FILED

PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY TO SUPPORT KEY FUNDING

ASK YOUR SENATORS TO OPPOSE AMENDMENT 91, WHICH WOULD TO LIMIT MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY ON RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE

Beginning on Tuesday, May 24, the Senate will debate the Senate Ways & Means Committee’s proposed fiscal 2017 state budget plan. With 1,167 amendments filed, it is critically important for you to call your Senators now to discuss key budget and funding issues that will impact your community.

S. 4, the Senate Ways & Means budget, provides progress on many important local aid priorities, including the full $42 million increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid that the Governor and House have agreed on. The SW&M Committee would increase funding for several major aid programs, by adding $9.3 million to the Special Education Circuit Breaker, increasing Chapter 70 minimum aid to $55 per student, and by adding funds in the Chapter 70 distribution to help address the low-income student calculation and to accelerate implementation of the so-called target share provisions in Chapter 70.

However, the proposed Senate budget would also cut nearly 90% from kindergarten development grants, cutting $16.6 million from key kindergarten grant assistance that goes to 164 cities, towns and school districts. There are several amendments to restore these funds.

Another issue is the need to defeat a harmful amendment (Amendment #91), which would interfere with local officials’ decision-making authority to act on behalf of taxpayers on the basic issue of contribution levels for retiree health insurance. Amendment 91 would extend a state-mandated freeze on adjusting retiree health contributions in any community that has used the municipal health insurance reform law to implement health insurance savings measures. Details on this issue are available in the MMA’s budget letter to Senators – just click on the link below.

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MMA’S DETAILED LETTER TO SENATORS ON ALL OF THE KEY BUDGET AMENDMENTS, AND PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES THAT IMPACT YOUR COMMUNITY

 

There are many budget amendments to discuss with your Senators, including:

• Increasing Chapter 70 minimum aid up to $100 per student;

• Restoring $16.6 million to Kindergarten Development Grants;

• Increasing funding for Charter School Reimbursements;

• Creating a reserve account to help with extraordinary Special Education Costs;

• Increasing reimbursements for the McKinney-Vento unfunded mandate;

• Increasing reimbursements for Regional School Transportation and Out-of-District Vocational School Transportation;

• Opposing Amendment 91, which would interfere with local decisions on retiree health insurance;

• Adding a municipal seat on the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund;

• Increasing funding for the Shannon Anti-Gang grant program;

• Increasing funding for the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative;

• Increasing funding for Summer Jobs for At-Risk Youth;

• Banning “Pay the Patient” in ambulance insurance payments;

• Supporting Chapter 40S payments for communities with Smart Growth Districts;

• Adding funds for Brownfield redevelopments;

• Allowing communities to levy fines for delays in removing double poles; and

• Increasing the state match for the CPA program.

 

Please Call Your Senators Today Discuss the Key Budget Issues that Impact Your Community

Click the Link Above to Read the MMA’s Detailed Letter to Senators

THANK YOU

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Posted in Budgets, Legislature, State, Uncategorized

MMA on Senate budget

Posted on May 18, 2016 | Comments Off on MMA on Senate budget

MMA

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE OFFERS $39.5B FY 2017 STATE BUDGET THAT MAKES KEY INVESTMENTS IN MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL AID

• INCLUDES THE FULL $42M INCREASE IN UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID (UGGA)

• INCREASES CHAPTER 70 BY $44M ABOVE THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET TO PROVIDE MINIMUM AID OF $55 PER STUDENT, INCREASE TARGET SHARE FUNDING, AND HELP ADDRESS THE LOW-INCOME STUDENT FACTOR

• ADDS $9.3M TO FULLY FUND THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER

• LEVEL-FUNDS MOST OTHER MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL ACCOUNTS

• BUT THE SW&M BUDGET CUTS $16.6M FROM KINDERGARTEN DEVELOPMENT GRANTS, WHICH WOULD CREATE SHORTFALLS IN 164 SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Earlier today, the Senate Ways and Means Committee reported out a tight $39.5 billion fiscal 2017 state budget plan to increase overall state expenditures by approximately 3.5 percent. The Senate Ways and Means budget is slightly smaller than the budget passed by the House in April and the version filed by the Governor in March, yet it would offer the largest increase in Chapter 70 aid. The full Senate will debate the fiscal 2017 state budget beginning on Tuesday, May 24.

S. 4, the Senate Ways & Means budget, provides strong progress on many important local aid priorities, including the full $42 million increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid that the Governor and House have agreed on. The SW&M Committee would increase funding for several major aid programs, by adding $9.3 million to the Special Education Circuit Breaker, increasing Chapter 70 minimum aid to $55 per student, and by adding funds in the Chapter 70 distribution to help address the low-income student calculation (the House budget has a separate $10 million reserve account for this issue), and to accelerate implementation of the so-called target share provisions in Chapter 70.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR COMMUNITY’S LOCAL AID AND PRELIMINARY CHERRY SHEET NUMBERS IN THE SENATE WAYS & MEANS BUDGET, AS ESTIMATED BY THE DIVISION OF LOCAL SERVICES

$42 MILLION INCREASE IN UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID

In a major victory for cities and towns, S. 4 (the SW&M fiscal 2017 budget plan) would provide $1.021 billion for UGGA, a $42 million increase over current funding – the same increase proposed by Governor Baker and the House of Representatives. The $42 million would increase UGGA funding by 4.3 percent, which matches the growth in state tax collections next year. This would be the largest increase in discretionary municipal aid in nearly a decade. Every city and town would see their UGGA funding increase by 4.3 percent.

CHAPTER 70 MINIMUM AID WOULD INCREASE TO $55 PER STUDENT

The Senate budget committee is proposing a $116 million increase in Chapter 70 education aid above fiscal 2016 levels, providing every city, town and school district with an increase of at least $55 per student. In addition to the minimum aid increase, which matches the House-passed level, the SW&M Committee would add additional funds to aid communities impacted by changes in the calculations used to account for low-income students. (The House included a $10 million reserve account for this issue instead of incorporating the funds into the Chapter 70 distribution). Further, the SW&M budget would accelerate the implementation of the 2007 target share provisions (the Senate proposal is to fund 85% of the target share goal, compared to the House’s 70% funding level). Overall, the SW&M budget would provide $44 million more in direct Chapter 70 distributions than the Governor’s budget, and $20 million more than the House (or $10 million more after recognizing the House’s $10 million reserve for low-income students).

$9.3 MILLION INCREASE INTENDED TO FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER

In another victory for cities and towns, Senate leaders have announced that they support full funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker program. Their budget plan would provide $281.1 million, a $9.3 million increase above fiscal 2016, with the intention of fully funding the account. The Governor level funded the circuit-breaker program, and the House provided a $5 million increase. This is a vital program that every city, town and school district relies on to fund state-mandated services.

BUT THE SW&M BUDGET WOULD CUT $16.6 MILLION FROM KINDERGARTEN DEVELOPMENT GRANTS, AN 89% REDUCTION THAT WOULD HIT 164 DISTRICTS

In a troubling development, S. 4 would cut $16.6 million from Kindergarten Development Grants, leaving only $2 million in this program that funds Kindergarten programs in 164 school districts. The Governor and House level-funded the program at $18.6 million. Restoring these funds will be a major priority during the budget debate, and local officials will want to talk with their Senators about this program right away. Please click here to see if your community is receiving these grants in fiscal 2016. These funds are in jeopardy if the S. 4 appropriation remains in place.

FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOL REIMBURSEMENTS INCREASED BY $7 MILLION, BUT STILL UNDERFUNDED

Under state law, cities and towns that host or send students to charter schools are entitled to be reimbursed for a portion of their lost Chapter 70 aid. The state fully funded the reimbursement program in fiscal years 2013 and 2014, but is underfunding reimbursements by approximately $46.5 million this year. The Senate Ways and Means budget would increase funding for charter school reimbursements to $87.5 million, a $7 million boost. This is $2 million more than the House proposed and $15 million less than the amount recommended by Gov. Baker. The program is underfunded in all three budget proposals, and increasing this account will be a top priority during the Senate budget debate.

REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION, PAYMENTS-IN-LIEU-OF-TAXES (PILOT), LIBRARY AID ACCOUNTS, METCO, McKINNEY-VENTO, AND SHANNON ANTI-GANG GRANTS

The Senate budget committee’s proposal would level-fund Regional School Transportation Reimbursements at $59 million ($1 million less than the House budget), level fund PILOT payments at $26.77 million (the same as the House and Governor), level-fund METCO at $20.1 million, and level-fund McKinney-Vento reimbursements at $8.35 million. S. 4 would fund library grant programs at $18.9 million ($70K less than fiscal 2016 and $750K less than the House). The SW&M budget would reduce Shannon Anti-Gang Grants to $5 million (a $2 million reduction below fiscal 2016, and $1 million below the House).

Please Call Your Senators Today to Thank Them for the Strong Municipal Aid and Chapter 70 Investments in the Senate Ways and Means Committee Budget, Including the $42 Million Increase in Unrestricted Local Aid, Providing Chapter 70 Minimum Aid at $55 Per Student, and Full Funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker

Please Let Your Senators Know if You Are Affected by Underfunding in Charter School Reimbursements and Kindergarten Development Grants

Please Explain How the Senate Ways and Means Budget Impacts Your Community, and Ask Your Senators to Build on this Progress During Budget Debate in the Senate

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Posted in Budgets, Financial, Massachusetts Municipal Association, State, Uncategorized

Medfield state budget earmarks out

Posted on April 28, 2016 | Comments Off on Medfield state budget earmarks out

State-House-smaller_1 (1)

I spoke with Representative Shawn Dooley at the ribbon cutting this morning for the Waste Water Treatment Plant’s solar PV installation, about the two earmarks he included in the House version of the state budget for Medfield

  • $15,000 to the Medfield Fire Department for the purchase of an automatic chest compression device,and
  • $1m. towards repair of West Street bridge over the Charles River

and learned that both had effectively been defeated.  They are still there, just without any money assigned to them.  It is possible the Senate could fund them, but not likely.

This email today from Medfield’s man at the legislature, John Nunnari, with the excruciating details about how the legislature does things –

 

An update on the proposed amendments noted below.

 

For consideration, the amendments were respectively wrapped into Consolidated Amendments “H” and “I”.

 

In order to speed up the process of considering amendments, leadership bundled most of the 1307 amendments into nine categories; Education and Local Aid; Constitutional Officers, State Administration, and Transportation; Energy and Environmental Affairs; Social Services and Veterans; Housing, Mental Health and Disability Services; Public Health; Health and Human Services and Elder Affairs; Public Safety and Judiciary; Labor and Economic Development

 

Amendment 306 was bundled into Consolidated Amendments “H” – Public Safety and Judiciary and Amendment 310 was bundled into Consolidated Amendments “I” – Labor and Economic Development.

 

While both consolidated amendments did pass today, through a parliamentary procedure designed to shield members votes, Amendments 306 (and 166 other amendments included in “H”) and 310 (and 178 other amendment included in “I”) did not pass.

 

I’m sorry to say that the money proposed via these amendment will not be forthcoming.

 

John

 

From: John Nunnari
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 4:46 PM
Subject: State Budget – Medfield Amendments

 

Two amendments filed to the House budget and up for consideration during next weeks debate.

john

 

AmdID Amd# Sponsor Sponsor Title Amending DEP Description InstaTrac Summary Amount Requested Increase Earmark HFY16 Comment
2017H0306 306 Shawn Dooley Medfield Fire Department Purchase 8324-0000 DFS Department of Fire Services Administration Earmarks $15,000 to the Medfield Fire Department for the purchase of an automatic chest compression device and/or associated materials, and increases the item by the same amount. $20,799,781 $20,814,781 $15,000 $15,000 2016H0486 Amendment #486 in FY16, this item was excluded from a bundle in last year’s budget.
2017H0310 310 Shawn Dooley Maintenance of the West Street Bridge in the towns of Medfield and Millis 1599-0026 ANF Municipal Regionalization and Efficiencies Incentive Reserve Earmarks $1,000,000 for the maintenance of the West Street Bridge in the towns of Medfield and Millis, and increases the item by the same amount. $5,240,000 $6,240,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000

 

 

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Posted in Budgets, Legislature, State, Uncategorized

Field bids $1.6 – 1.8m.

Posted on April 22, 2016 | Comments Off on Field bids $1.6 – 1.8m.

MHS field

The ATM article 21 looked to appropriate $1.4m. to renovate the MHS turf field.  Per an email today from Mike Sullivan, the bids opened this morning came in higher.

The bids for the school field & track rebuild were opened at 10:00 a.m. this morning. There were five bids and they ranged, roughly, between $1.6 and $1.8 million. The School Dept. is working to see how the work can be reduced to bring it back to the $1.4 million that we have been using for Town Meeting. Jeff told me to stick with the $1.4 million figure and they would go with that amount on Monday. Mike S

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Posted in Budgets, Financial, Medfield High School, Schools, Uncategorized

Solar PV – X3

Posted on April 22, 2016 | Comments Off on Solar PV – X3

solar PV-2

The town is jumping from having no solar PV arrays at all, to soon having two, and potentially three (if town meeting agrees on Monday).

  • Waste Water Treatment Plant – The 237KW  solar array at the Waste Water Treatment Plant is already constructed and scheduled to  start electricity generation following the ribbon cutting next Thursday at 10AM.
  • Public Safety Building – The new Public Safety Building was designed for a roof mounted solar array, but installing it was not part of the original bids due to concerns over adding to the costs.  That array was previously going forward as a 63KW roof mounted solar array, funded via a change order, spending some of the construction savings, until the state recently allowed the its incentives to run out, at which time that array was put on hold.  When the state legislation recently extended the state incentives, the economies of that array became attractive again, so that array has again been put on track to proceed as a change order to the original contract, spending some of the unexpended contingency monies to do that installation.
  • DPW Garage – The DPW Garage was designed solar ready, and the Energy Committee has been looking at doing a 150KW solar array there too, but that plan was also held in abeyance by the state allowing its incentives to expire, making the return on solar PV arrays less attractive.  There is $240,000 of appropriated monies left over from the solar array at the WWTP, the cost of which came in a lot under budget, and those monies are the  subject of  the ATM article 24 – to allow the transfer of those funds to be used for a solar PV array on the Garage.  However, the estimated cost of the Garage solar array is $383,000, so the project was about $150,000 short.  Mike Sullivan and Martha Festa, the Warrant Committee chair, yesterday crafted a solution, an amendment to the operating budget at the ATM, as the mechanism to obtain those monies at this late date, which can allow the Garage solar array to proceed.

The timing of the Public Safety Building and DPW Garage solar projects is important because the state incentives are going to change at  the end of 2017, making the economics of such solar arrays less advantageous – so because of the recent legislative changes, it became a do it now or not at all proposition.

 

 

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Posted in Budgets, Energy Committee, Financial, Green, Town Meeting, Uncategorized

ATM articles status

Posted on April 15, 2016 | Comments Off on ATM articles status

town meeting

These two emails from Mike with his update on money warrant articles –

Information is coming in fast and furious as we approach town meeting. Fortunately, it’s just about all good news. The following are proposed changes to the articles and budgets that you should take into account. Some of them you will need to amend your votes.

  1. Article 29. The Council on Aging has decided to withdraw its article seeking funding plans for an addition to the CENTER at Medfield. This was for $100,000 to come from funds the COA already had on hand so it doesn’t  change the tax levy. This will be added to the Consent Calendar as a dismissal.
  2. Article 28, Park & Rec is changing the wording of Article 28 to make it a “programmatic and financial needs analysis for a Park and Recreation facility instead of for plans for a new facility. They originally were looking for $100,000, which dropped to $40,000 and then went up to $60,000. The monies will come from Park & Rec Revolving Funds so it will not affect the tax levy.
  3. Article 37, which sought $50,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Fund for complying with the federal EPA Stormwater Permit application and implementation will be added to the Consent Calendar as a dismissal. I thought it was for a discharge permit for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, but it’s for a federally mandated Stormwater Permitting process that is townwide and not just for the treatment plant. The funds will be requested next year from the General Fund. The application is due in September of 2017.
  4. We met with our Property and Casualty and Worker’s Compensation insurance carrier this week and will need to make the following changes to the Insurance Budgets

Worker’s Compensation: reduce the requested appropriation by $32,937 to $230,000. A couple of our bad claims, which stay on the books for three years from the date of filing, are coming off, which will reduce out Experience Modification Factor and, consequently, reduce our Worker’s Compensation premiums.

Liability: increase the requested appropriation by $10,000 to $208,000. Next year we will have additional premium payments for the Public Safety Building, which is scheduled to com on line in October and for the new artificial surface at the High School multi-purpose field, which is scheduled to come on line by the opening of school in September.

  1. The House of Representative budget, which passed this week raised the minimum per student Chapter 70 Education Aid from the $20/student that the Governor included in his budget request, to $55/student. This, if it’s the final figure, would result in an increase of about $87,000. However, the Senate will not pass it’s budget until May and then a conference committee will be appointed to work out the differences. To be conservative, I’m sticking with the Governor’s lower figure for Chapter 70 Education Aid. If the figure comes in higher we can adjust the local aid amounts prior to setting the tax fy17 tax rate.
  2. Joy pointed out that we are raising $7,154 in the Water Enterprise Fund and $33,400 in the Sewer Enterprise Fund or a total of $40,554. to cover the Water and Sewer OPEB liabilities. This allows us to reduce the amount be taken from General Fund free cash to fund the OPEB liability to $121,947 from the original amount of $162,947 and still appropriate $400,000 to the OPEB Trust.
  3. I think it’s pretty safe to assume that we will have no more snow this season, so we can remove the $50,000 we are still carrying for a snow deficit expense.
  4. That’s all for now, but don’t be surprised if there are more changes next week. On Tuesday the bids for the School field will be opened so that may result in some additional changes. I’m attaching an update on the tax levy calculation based on the above. The net result is a decrease of $172,000 in the additional free cash we will need to use to balance the budget.  If the House Chapter 70 Education vote stands, this would reduce this to just over $100,000. Enjoy the weekend weather and let’s hope there’s more good news. Please let me know if you concur with the above recommendations..

Mike

Things are changing faster than I thought. Two minutes after I sent you my email on the budgets, I got an email from our insurance carrier that we would be receiving a participation credit on our Liability Insurance coverages, As a result we can leave that requested appropriation at $198,000 rather than increasing it to $208,000. Mike S.

 

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Posted in Budgets, Financial, Town Meeting, Uncategorized

House budget #s

Posted on April 14, 2016 | Comments Off on House budget #s

The House released its proposed budget numbers, and we do about $200,000 better than last year with their proposal.  The Governor gave us about $100,000 more than last year.  Usually our numbers do not go down, and the Senate which weighs in last often increases our total state aid.   The Governor did revenue sharing by increasing part of our state aid by the same 4.3% that the state’s revenues increased, and the House extends that 4.3% increase to more state aid items. I am not sure why our Charter Tuition Reimbursement has gone up so much on a percentage basis.

20160414-house budget

Below is the report and instant analysis from the MMA yesterday afternoon on the state budget as it affects municipalities.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE OFFERS $39.5B FY 2017 STATE BUDGET THAT MAKES KEY INVESTMENTS IN MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL AID
• INCLUDES THE FULL $42M INCREASE IN UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID (UGGA)
• INCREASES CHAPTER 70 BY $24M TO FUND MINIMUM AID AT $55 PER STUDENT
•ADDS A $10M RESERVE TO AID COMMUNITIES WITH LOW-INCOME STUDENTS
• ADDS $5M TO FUND THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER
• ADDS $1M MORE FOR REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
• LEVEL-FUNDS MOST OTHER MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL ACCOUNTS

Earlier this afternoon, the House Ways and Means Committee reported out a lean $39.5 billion fiscal 2017 state budget plan to increase overall state expenditures by 3.3 percent. The House Ways and Means budget is $76 million smaller than the budget filed by the Governor in March, yet it also increases Chapter 70 aid by $24 million above the Governor’s recommendation by increasing minimum aid from $20 per student to $55 per student, and also includes a new $10 million reserve to aid communities impacted by changes in the calculations used to account for low-income students. The full House will debate the fiscal 2017 state budget during the week of April 25.

H. 4200, the House Ways and Means budget, provides strong progress on many important local aid priorities, including the full $42 million increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid that the Governor proposed and communities are counting on. The House W&M Committee would increase funding for several major aid programs, by adding $5 million to the Special Education Circuit Breaker, adding $1 million to Regional School Transportation, and increasing Chapter 70 minimum aid to $55 per student.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR COMMUNITY’S LOCAL AID AND PRELIMINARY CHERRY SHEET NUMBERS IN THE HOUSE WAYS & MEANS BUDGET, AS ESTIMATED BY THE DIVISION OF LOCAL SERVICES

$42 MILLION INCREASE IN UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID
In a major victory for cities and towns, H. 4200 (the HW&M fiscal 2017 budget plan) would provide $1.021 billion for UGGA, a $42 million increase over current funding – the same increase proposed by Governor Baker. The $42 million would increase UGGA funding by 4.3 percent, which matches the growth in state tax collections next year. This would be the largest increase in discretionary municipal aid in nearly a decade. Every city and town would see their UGGA funding increase by 4.3 percent.

CHAPTER 70 MINIMUM AID WOULD INCREASE TO $55 PER STUDENT
The House budget committee is proposing a $95.8 million increase in Chapter 70 education aid, with a provision providing every city, town and school district an increase of at least $55 per student. This is $24 million more than the recommendation in the Governor’s budget submission. The budget would continue to implement the target share provisions enacted in 2007. Because most cities and towns only receive minimum aid, this increase would benefit the vast majority of communities.

FUNDS A $10M RESERVE TO AID COMMUNITIES WITH LOW-INCOME STUDENTS
The House Ways & Means budget also includes a new $10 million reserve to aid communities impacted by changes in the calculations used to account for low-income students. This would supplement Chapter 70 distributions to address shortfalls in aid levels due to the new methodology used to count low-income students. DESE would administer this program, and make funding decisions by October 2016.

$5 MILLION INCREASE INTENDED TO FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER
In another victory for cities and towns, House leaders have announced that they support full funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker program. Their budget plan would provide $276.7 million, a $5 million increase above fiscal 2016, with the intention of fully funding the account. This is a vital program that every city, town and school district relies on to fund state-mandated services.

ADDS $1 MILLION TO REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
House Ways and Means Committee budget would add $1 million to bring regional transportation reimbursements up to $60 million. The MMA will work to continue building on this welcome increase.

FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOL REIMBURSEMENTS INCREASED BY $5 MILLION, BUT STILL UNDERFUNDED
Under state law, cities and towns that host or send students to charter schools are entitled to be reimbursed for a portion of their lost Chapter 70 aid. The state fully funded the reimbursement program in fiscal years 2013 and 2014, but is underfunding reimbursements by approximately $46.5 million this year. The House Ways and Means budget would increase funding for charter school reimbursements to $85.5 million, a $5 million boost, although this is $15 million less than the amount recommended by Gov. Baker. The program is underfunded in both budget proposals, and increasing this account will be a top priority during the budget debate.

PAYMENTS-IN-LIEU-OF-TAXES (PILOT), LIBRARY AID ACCOUNTS, METCO, McKINNEY-VENTO, AND SHANNON ANTI-GANG GRANTS
The House budget committee’s proposal would level-fund PILOT payments at $26.77 million, continue to fund library grant programs at $18.83 million, level-fund METCO $20.1 million, and level-fund McKinney-Vento reimbursements at $8.35 million. All four of these accounts are funded the same in both the Governor’s and House Ways and Means Committee’s budgets. However, the HW&M budget would reduce Shannon Anti-Gang Grants to $5 million, a $2 million reduction.

Please Call Your Representatives Today to Thank Them for the Strong Local Aid Investments in the House Ways and Means Committee Budget – Including the $42 Million Increase in Unrestricted Local Aid, Providing Chapter 70 Minimum Aid at $55 Per Student, Funding the Special Education Circuit Breaker, and Adding Funds to Regional School Transportation

Please Explain How the House Ways and Means Budget Impacts Your Community, and Ask Your Representatives to Build on this Progress During Budget Debate in the House

Thank You!

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Declaration of Snow Emergency

Posted on April 4, 2016 | Comments Off on Declaration of Snow Emergency

DPW sign

Email this afternoon from Mike.  We seem to go over the snow budget every year, i think because we just budget low for snow removal. –

We will need a declaration of snow emergency voted tomorrow night by the Selectmen and the Warrant Committee. We got through the last storm, but this one-two punch is putting us over the top. I spoke to Ken about getting a total figure, but, since the snow is now projected to continue until 7:00 p.m. tonight and it’s getting icy on the roads, we won’t have a total until tomorrow and even then it may still be an estimate. Mike

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Posted in Budgets, DPW, Uncategorized

MHS field report

Posted on March 28, 2016 | 2 comments

SECTION 6 - FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS 66 MEDFIELD ATHLETIC FIELDS MASTER PLAN TOTAL COSTS FOR MULTI-USE FIELD/TRACK REPLACEMENT TOTAL COSTS SAVINGS FOR PHASE I COMBINATION OF MULTI-USE FIELD/TRACK AND PRACTICE FIELD Due to the high level of use of fields in the Town of Medfield and the current condition of the existing field at the High School it is recommended that the existing synthetic turf field with upgraded drainage system and synthetic track be replaced. The synthetic turf fibers are starting to deteriorate, a condition common found in a field with this amount of use and age of the product. The ability of the field to maintain infill in a stable condition will continue to be reduced in turn reducing the overall safety of the field to the athletes. Concerns over rising Gmax will continue to be an issue in the field. Currently there are multiple areas that flood on the field. This is an indication of a failing base/drainage system. It is recommended that a new drainage system replace the existing to alleviate flooding, additionally it is recommended that a trench and slot drain are added to the perimeter of the track to assist with drainage. The synthetic track has clear base issues at the long-jump triple-jump areas. It is highly recommended that the “D-Zone Areas” are built to include synthetic track surfacing which will also assist in the function of the areas when running track meets. The track has been over-sprayed once to date. The track has reached an age in which it should be sprayed again. This should occur during this process. It should be noted that a track can only be sprayed a minimum of three times which should make the track functional for an additional five to six years. This page lists a summary of the “Order of Magnitude” costs for upgrading the existing synthetic turf field and track at the high school. Provided are three alternates which the town should consider in making its decision in replacing the field. • Alternate #1: A higher grade of synthetic turf which is a mixture of a monofilament fiber and a slit film fiber reducing the splash of infill during play. This turf will have a face weight and more fiber which will provide a product which will perform well and stand up to the rigers of use. Additionally, it is recommended that a coated sand infill would be used. The coated sand provides an infill system that creates a firm, fast playing surface. The use of coated sand and the current warranties allow for an infill that can be reused for up to two cycles. Lastly, the alternate includes a shock pad. The shock pad provides absorbency within the field structure. This will reduce the overall Gmax in the field. Current warranties include a maximum Gmax for the life of the warranty which ranges between 20-25 years. • Alternate #2: A standard 2” turf with SBR Rubber and Sand Infill. Included in this alternate is a shock pad. • Alternate #3: Includes 5 storage units with concrete pads. An allowance for upgraded athletic field equipment. Opinion of Probable Cost - Medfield High School Multi-Use Synthetic Field and Track Item Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Base Bid Site Preparation Trailer and Temporary Utilities 1 LS $ 8,000.00 $ 8 ,000.00 Construction Entrances 1 LS $ 12,000.00 $ 1 2,000.00 Remove & Dispose Synthetic Turf 75000 SF $ 0.75 $ 5 6,300.00 Silt Sock 1,159 LF $ 3 .00 $ 3 ,500.00 Inlet Protection 2 EA $ 3 00.00 $ 6 00.00 Subtotal $ 8 0,400.00 Multi‐Use Field Concrete Curb 1150 LF $ 25.00 $ 28,750.00 Trench Drain 1150 LF $ 50.00 $ 57,500.00 F&I Field Drainage 75000 SF $ 1.75 $ 131,250.00 F&I Flat Drain 75000 SF $ 1.20 $ 90,000.00 F&I 8" Base Stone 75000 SF $ 1.00 $ 75,000.00 F&I 2" Finishing Stone 75000 SF $ 0.60 $ 45,000.00 Turf Material 75000 SF $ 3.50 $ 262,500.00 Rubber 75000 SF $ 0.56 $ 42,000.00 Sand (E+L) 75000 SF $ 0.17 $ 12,750.00 Football Uprights 1 PR $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 12' Ball Stopper Netting 400 LF $ 90.00 $ 36,000.00 Subtotal $ 7 95,750.00 Synthetic Track Surfacing Gravel Base D-Zone 22000 SF $ 1.50 $ 33,000.00 Bituminous Concrete Paving D-Zone 22000 SF $ 2.75 $ 60,500.00 Track Surfacing 22000 SF $ 5.00 $ 110,000.00 Track Re-Surfacing 32000 SF $ 1.50 $ 48,000.00 Line Striping 1 LS $ 4,000.00 $ 4,000.00 Subtotal $ 2 55,500.00 SUBTOTAL OF SITE CONSTRUCTION ITEMS TOTAL $ 1 ,131,650.00 GENERAL CONDITIONS, BOND, CONTRACTOR OH&P $ 1 13,165.00 CONTINGENCY $ 5 6,582.50 SOFT COSTS $ 8 4,873.75 TOTAL $ 1,387,000.00 Opinion of Probable Cost - Medfield High School Multi-Use Synthetic Field and Track Item Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Alternate #1: Option A Base Bid $ 1,387,000.00 Deduct SBR Rubber and Sand $ ( 336,285.00) Upgraded Turf,Coated Sand Infill, and Shock Pad $ 583,912.50 Alternate #1 Total $ 1,635,000.00 Alternate #2: Option B Base Bid $ 1,387,000.00 Deduct SBR Rubber and Sand $ ( 336,285.00) SBR Rubber, Sand, and Shock Pad $ 472,650.00 Alternate #2 Total $ 1,524,000.00 Alternate #3 Equipment & Closeout 1 LS $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 Storage Units with Pads 5 EA $ 12,000.00 $ 60,000.00 Alternate #3 Total $ 90,000.00 FIELD A: HIGH SCHOOL MULTI-USE SYNTHETIC FIELD AND TRACK

I had posted this report, but that was before I learned how to insert a JPEG of the file so you can now see the actual document, so here is the document. At the annual town meeting we will be asked to vote $1.4m. to replace the MHS turf field.

The initial evergreen field was installed around 2004 (from memory), funded entirely with private donations totaling over $600,000, as a Medfield Foundation initiative lead by Tim Nugent. The field when built had an expected ten year life, before it was to need substantial work.

This current report does not say how long the proposed field will last, but it does quote a 20-25 year life for the Alternate #1, which adds about $250,000 to the cost.  As I understand things, that is not the suggested option, since the cost I have heard stated is the $1.4m., which is the cost of the basic replacement in this report.  If that basic field still has a 10 year life, it may behoove the town to  pay the extra $250,000 now to get an extra 10-15 years of use before having to pay for another replacement, versus paying for a full replacement in another 10 years.

The field is located in an area that is wet, and was reportedly as a result always a marginal location for a playing field because of that wetness.  At the time the time of the original construction of the turf field the schools reportedly did not want to consider other less wet locations.

This is the sort of large expense that should be on the town’s new 20 year capital plan that the town is looking to create – a known large repeating expense for which we as a  town should budget and plan ahead.  Funding the creation of that new 20 year town wide capital plan is another ATM article.

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