Full house at Senior Center got a good breakfast & bunch of questions answered at 4th Listening Session (audio)

FM #1393 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1393 in the series. 

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at the Franklin Senior Center. 8 of the 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen & School Supt Lucas Giguere.

Brief statements by TA Hellen and Supt Giguere opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. More than 20 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions. Both Police Chief Lynch and Fire Cheif McLaughlin spoke to their budget risks. Sarah Amaral, Senior Center Director spoke to the work being done by the center.

Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sides

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 

As of today, $3.8M short, got a slight update with the preview of the preliminary budget being presented to the Town Council Wednesday, March 5.

The recording runs about 2 hours 30 minutes , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1393-joint-budget-listening-session-4-03-04-25/

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Franklin TV video for viewing -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCbOgOSGCAI 

My notes captured during the session

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp9A9XVpTSr2w8OaBDJN9LJDL_vHR-Y2/view?usp=drive_link 

Updated FY 2026 budget document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4593/2025-03-05-Town-Council-Preliminary-Budget-Presentation-v2 

Citizen discounts and exemptions -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4418/Local-and-State-Assistance-Programs-PDF 

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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!

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Full house at Senior Center got a good breakfast & bunch
 of questions answered at 4th Listening Session (audio)