Schools reduce capital budget request, Capital Budget Subcmte approves all votes (but one) by 4-0 (audio)

FM #1146 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 978 in the series. 

This session of the radio show is the audio recording of the Franklin, MA Town Council Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting conducted on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. All four members of the subcommittee were present: Chair Debbie Pellegri, Vice Chair Bob Dellorco, Ted Cormier-leger, Brian Chandler. 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone, Superintendent Lucas Giguere, along with almost all of the Town Department leaders (at least those with capital budget requests).

This meeting covered the first round of capital budgeting. As noted during the session, there is about $1.5M remains of “Free Cash” to be allocated during round 2.

You can follow along with the agenda as each department section was covered and line item by line item, votes were conducted (with a few exceptions) on each line item. Only one vote did NOT finish 4-0. That being the vote to fund the town/school website upgrade which passed 3-1 (Cormier-Leger cast the “no” vote). 

As noted when I shared the agenda, while this proposal was reviewed by the Finance Committee on Feb 7, it has been modified since then. It was also adjusted further during the meeting with School Supt Lucas Giguere reducing their school capital request from $1.2 M to $900+K. The capital budget as adjusted now moves forward to the full Town Council for their meeting on February 28.

The recording runs about just over 2 hours minutes, so let’s listen to this capital budget discussion. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1146-town-council-capital-budget-subcmte-mtg-02-21-24

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Agenda document ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/capital_budget_subcommittee_agenda_-_feb_21_2024.pdf 

My notes via Twitter ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_3lpxnItRZ54gVEfc06Gu4F5FIGydByY/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin TV video for the Finance Committee meeting of Feb 7 -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ULrmiu9zaew?si=tdKlf5BEx86wnl55

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Capital Budget Subcmte to review adjustment to what FinCom already approved - Feb 21 at 10:00 AM

Finance Committee reviews and approves of Capital Budget for FY 2024 (video & audio)

FM #1135 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1135 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. 

8 Finance Committee members participated; 

6 in Chambers (Chair Conley, Riley, Corbosiero, Nagel, Batchelor, Grace ), 

2 participated remotely (Keophannga & Hamilton) 

1 absent (Sansoucy)

Quick recap:

• Discussion on the scope and intent of the deep dive series. Feb 7 next meeting, Mar 6 joint budget subcmte, then really into budget season for FY 2025 with hearings in May, June for Council.

• This is the first capital budget without a holding of the 'free cash' for snow and ice removal. 4.5M is total free cash.

• Consideration for a 'land acquisition fund' possibly to be established

• Technology at the high school is now 10 years old, can't replace them all at once, chipping away at it to stagger the replacements over time.

• Survey to address on quality of life issues, scientific generated survey randomly generated, whole variety of metrics. Often folks are happy but need to divide where there are some opportunities.

• Chief Lynch providing insights on the Police requests, (forgot to add battalion chiefs for Fire had previewed the requests for Fire) Did get all their requests

• DPW, Director Cantoreggi, Water/Sewer superintendent Martin Providing updates on the details of this year's request, equipment has improved over past years, folks like to use good tools, efficiency & safety

• Funds for sewer, water, etc come from the enterprise funds

• Facility did not get all asked for, the reasonable requests were met. We don't have any money for new sidewalks, maintenance yes but not new. $2M for a single mile of sidewalk.

• Motion for approval for the capital improvements plan second, passes via roll call 8-0-1 (absent)

• Motion for transfers per policy as part of the capital plan, second, via roll call 8-0-1 (absent)

The meeting recording runs about an hour & 20 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting Jan 10, 20234 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1135-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-01-10-24

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Agenda ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-01-10_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf 

Watch the Franklin TV video available for replay 

https://www.youtube.com/live/dGC2rKWkWB8 

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting and found in 1 PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qqA7h0dGjT1Bw7f2muY7KTBc7N6OklZq/view?usp=drive_link 

Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Finance Committee reviews and approves of Capital Budget for FY 2024 (video & audio)

Finance Committee gets first look at Capital Budget requests for FY 2024

The Town Administrator memo to the Finance Committee outlining the proposed first pass of the Capital Budget summarizes:

Please find the attached Capital Plan Round 1 for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), as well as the five-year capital plan from each department as required by the Town Charter. Included in this memo is a chart with the 20-year free cash history. The average free cash balance is $3.52 million over the past ten years and $2.89 million over the past 20 years.

From the certified total, there are several policy commitments that eat into the total right off the bat, most notably contributions to stabilization accounts (per town policy). Please note that snow and ice removal is now fully funded in the operating budget and there is no reason to “hold” any free cash for snow and ice removal. See narrative below for more specifics.

These recommendations are the FY24 Capital program Round 1. A second round will be later this Spring.

The following is an overview of certified free cash status for FY24:

Find the full memo in the agenda doc (also contains remote participation info) ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/_2024-01-05_memo_fy24_capital_program_fin_comm.pdf

Finance Committee gets first look at Capital Budget requests for FY 2024

Town Council approves capital budget, refers inclusionary zoning bylaw to Planning Board for review (audio)

FM #947 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 947 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers (Pellegri absent).

Quick recap:

Three key items regarding the capital budget were all approved by 8-0-1 votes (8 for, none against, 1 absent (Pellegri))

• Resolution 23-18: FY23 Capital Improvement Plan

• Resolution 23-19: Free Cash to Stabilization Accounts Transfers

• Resolution 23-20: Water Retained Earnings Transfer to Water Main Capital Project R19-05

The two referrals to the Planning Board on Inclusionary Zoning were also moved forward after some clarification questions by the Councilors were answered by TA Jamie Hellen or Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development.

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-889: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Attachment 7., Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule: Residential Uses - Referral to the Planning Board 

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-890: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Section 5 - Referral to the Planning Board 

The recording runs 2 and 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on February 15, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-947-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-02-15-23

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The complete agenda doc  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_15_2023_agenda.pdf

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/TxINM8EMueg?feature=share 

One PDF with my Twitter thread of notes is available here -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e3mWHu8EEyeIooV0ryedEmH-aY3hdmGY/view?usp=share_link

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Town Council approves capital budget, refers inclusionary zoning bylaw to Planning Board for review (audio)

Franklin TV: Town Council approves capital budget, refers inclusionary zoning bylaw to Planning Board for review (video)

The Franklin Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Feb 15, 2023 efficiently addressed the items on its agenda. The meeting last 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Three key items regarding money were all approved by 8-0-1 votes (8 for, none against, 1 absent (Pellegri))

• Resolution 23-18: FY23 Capital Improvement Plan
• Resolution 23-19: Free Cash to Stabilization Accounts Transfers
• Resolution 23-20: Water Retained Earnings Transfer to Water Main Capital Project R19-05

The two referrals to the Planning Board on Inclusionary Zoning were also moved forward after some clarification questions by the Councilors were answered by TA Jamie Hellen or Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development.

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-889: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Attachment 7., Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule: Residential Uses - Referral to the Planning Board 
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-890: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Section 5 - Referral to the Planning Board 

The complete agenda doc  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_15_2023_agenda.pdf

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/TxINM8EMueg?feature=share 

My notes and the audio of the meeting will be ready in a couple of days. In the mean time, the PDF with my Twitter thread of notes is available here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e3mWHu8EEyeIooV0ryedEmH-aY3hdmGY/view?usp=share_link

Capital Budget Subcommittee takes time reviewing details, ultimately approves what's requested (audio)

FM #933 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 933 in the series. 

This session of the radio show is the audio recording of the Franklin, MA Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting conducted on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

Present:

All four members of the subcommittee were present: Chair Debbie Pellegri, Vice Chair Bob Dellorco, Ted Cormier-leger, Brian Chandler.  Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandinni, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone, and Finance Committee Chair George Conley were also present in the 3rd Floor Training Room.

Recap: 

This was the second meeting on the first round of capital budgeting. The first meeting was not recorded or reported on. This second meeting was well attended by members of the Fire Dept, Police Dept, and DPW whose budget items were up for discussion.

Beginning on Page 4, item #12, each line item in the meeting agenda was reviewed, some questions and discussions were more detailed and involved than others. After some clarifications on each item, they were each approved in turn by 4-0 voice votes to recommend to the Town Council. 

It was acknowledged at the beginning of the session that there was a philosophical question (raised last meeting) and continuing this meeting on some items currently on the “capital” budget that at least a couple of members of the subcommittee believe should be in the operational budget. Jamie indicated a couple of times during this session that for the regular budget discussions coming later this year, those items would be included in the operational budget to clearly show the impact.

The recording runs an hour and xx minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio file ->

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-933-tof-capital-budget-subcmte-mtg-02-01-23

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Agenda document ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2023-02-01_capital_budget_subcommittee_agenda_1.pdf 

My notes via Twitter ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13O3jj_Kjqgus8lQnu3FUAHlQfRw_K2Wy/view?usp=share_link 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Capital Budget Subcommittee takes time reviewing details, ultimately approves what's requested (audio)

Franklin, MA: Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 18, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 18, 2022 - 5:30 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

3rd Floor, Training Room, 355 East Central Street

Discussion:

1. FY23 Capital Plan

a. Introduction to the proposed Town Administrator FY23 Capital Plan.

i. Town Administrator FY23 Capital recommendations memo  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/fin_com_memo.pdf

ii. FY23 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_requests_5yr_plan_sheets.pdf

iii. Quotes (if available)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_quotes_and_backup.pdf

b. Department Request Discussions

i. School Department

ii. Facilities Department

iii. Technology Department

iv. Town Administrator & Building Commissioner

Full agenda doc can be found online  (no remote participation set up for this meeting)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2023-01-18_capital_budget_subcommittee_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 18, 2023 at 5:30 PM