Thursday, February 26, 2026

Finance Committee approves funding recommendation for fire truck replacement (video)

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met on Wednesday, Feb 25, 206 as scheduled at 6 PM. 5 members were in chambers, 1 remote. It was announced 1 member had resigned that day and would hopefully be replaced before the budget hearings in April.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/sM7NUUmqKlw?&t=245


My notes were captured via the Bluesky app, the top of the thread can be found here - https://bsky.app/profile/franklinmatters.bsky.social/post/3mfpsbpk6us2o

Quick recap
  • Motion to approve the prior meeting notes, so moved, second, passes via roll call (1 remote) was 6-0-3 (2 absent, 1 resigned this AM)
  • Discussion on need to replace a fire engine which has frame corrosion and was taken offline.
    • Discussion on an undercarriage wash to help prolong the life of the trucks and rest of the fleet with other issues of corrosion
    • Consider other alternatives for prevention of corrosion, maybe look to a cost analysis on the sand vs. salt/brine solution. What are the pros, cons?
    • Multiple options available for financing, ultimately resolved to recommend authorization of a BAN (a short term borrowing instrument) for the full $935K.
    • This keeps the stabilization account intact for now and can still be used to pay down the principal when the BAN is converted to a longer term finance deal
    • Vote passed 5-1 via roll call
  • Q2 report 
    • Snow and ice was gradually increased to be fully funded from ops instead of free cash
    • Lack of FEMA money for 'disaster' events like the major storms
    • Local receipts are not at the level that Kerri would like
    • Library is only $25k over the State minimum
  • Discussion on adding to a May meeting reconsidering the OPEB contribution to relook at the recommendation before the Council votes in June
  • Discussion on the Council handling of the capital budget and suggestion of having FinCom representative at the Council meeting to support any recommendations. A great idea