Franklin Matters: What's this about a possible override for Franklin? (collection)

Monday, March 18, 2024

What's this about a possible override for Franklin? (collection)

The first pass of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025) budget as presented to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting last week shows the Town of Franklin facing a $10.1 million deficit. The numbers will continue to be worked. As discussed during the meeting, breaking news that afternoon showed a reduction in the projected cost increase for health care that had just been received. That will be adjusted for future budget discussions.

The timeline for the budget development is as follows:

School Committee budget public hearing - March 19
School Committee votes on school budget recommendation - April 9
Town of Franklin FY 2025 budget scheduled for release - April 12
Joint Town Council & School Committee Mtg - Apr 24
~~Town Council meeting May 1 (determine yes or no for override, if yes, sets date & amount)~~
Finance Committee budget hearings - May 6, May 8, May 15 (vote)
Town Council budget hearings - May 22, May 23 (vote)
Override date - June 11 for $6.8M

If there were to be an override, the decision on “When?” is as critical as “How much”? Election requirements call for 35 days notification of a vote on a ballot question. Hence, a vote scheduled for June would have to be decided no later than early May

Town override page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy25-override-information

Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

School budget page ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget

Recent meetings/interviews/documents (most recent on top, scroll down for prior)

06/07/24 - Chalkboard Chat with SchCmte Chair Dave Callaghan -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/this-chalkboard-chat-recaps-current.html

06/06/24 - Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/this-town-council-quarterbacking_01806946359.html

06/05/24 - Town Clerk Nancy Danello - Special Election update ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/franklin-ma-town-clerk-nancy-danello.html

6/05/24 - Franklin Senior Center - Override Q&A -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/many-override-questions-answered-at.html

5/28/24 - School Cmte Budget Subcommittee - preview of fees, etc. -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/schools-budget-subcmte-gets-preview-of.html

05/16/24 - Franklin Issues with Jay Horrigan (3 parts) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/jay-i-cover-franklins-current-issues-in.html

05/20.24 - Chalkboard Chat SchCmte Dave McNeill & FinCmte George Conley -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/this-chalkboard-chat-session-recaps.html

05/15/24 - Finance Committee budget hearing #3 -> recap, audio&video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/finance-committee-hears-updates-from_19.html

05/14/24 - School Committee meeting votes on redistricting -> recap, audio & video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/school-committee-moves-forward-with_0490415739.html

05/11/24 - Schools Redistricting 'Master Plan' report published -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/fps-school-facilities-and-educational.html

05/08/24 - Finance Committee budget hearing #2 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/finance-committee-reviews-public-safety_10.html

05/06/24 - Town Clerk shares Override Election schedule -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/franklin-town-clerk-provides-important.html

05/06/24 - Finance Committee budget hearing #1 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/finance-cmte-approves-pledge-doc-and.html

05/04/24 - Redistricting info page created, FAQs published -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/redistricting-faqs-published-add-your.html

5/01/24 - Town Council meeting sets date & amount -> June 1 for $6.8 Million Audio, video links -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/town-council-after-much-discussion_4.html

04/30/24 - Interview with FEA President Donna Grady (teacher's union) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/talking-about-teaching-education-with.html

4/30/24 - School Committee meeting on redistricting - recap with audio & video links -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/school-committee-listens-to-lot-of-we.html

4/30/24 - School Committee Budget subcmte meeting - audio & recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/school-budget-subcmte-get-preview-of.html

4/25/24 - Comprehensive School Facility Plan Subcmte meeting (redistricting draft) (recap & audio) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/comprehensive-school-facility-plng.html

4/24/24 - Joint Town Council & School Committee mtg - recap, audio (2 parts) and video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/town-council-and-school-committee-hear_01363014460.html

04/22/24 - Special Chalkboard Chat Dave Callaghan & Dr Anne Bergen -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/dr-bergen-dave-callaghan-talk-about.html

4/12/24 - Town of Franklin FY 2025 budget released. The budget was released as "balanced" by NOT including any Town 'wish list' items, nor projecting to incur any cuts. The School Shortfall was granted approx. $3M leaving the $9.3 million the Schools voted for $6.3M short, hence all the cuts would come to the schools. Something may change during the Finance Committee and Town Council hearings (with or without an override).

Details available on the budget page in particular the budget narrative doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy_25_budget_message_narrative_updated_links_2.pdf

and the voting doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_ta_budget_book_v2.pdf

4/09/24 - School Committee approves FY 2025 budget - Recap, audio & video links -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/school-committee-votes-to-approve-81m_0566458301.html

3/19/24 - School Committee meeting