Friday, June 12, 2026

Finance Committee votes to recommend FY 2027 budget, a minor adjustment to round 2 of Capital Authorizations (audio)

FM #1761 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1761 in the series. 


This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The Committee meeting opened with 8 members present, 1 remote. All votes were recorded via roll call.


Quick recap:


Motion to recommend the adjusted FY 2027 budget $ 179,284,565 which uses free cash of $1m plus Second 

Clarification on going from $2.1 to $1.1 for use of free cash

Passes 9-0 via roll call


Resolution 26-27 MECC Stabilization Transfer to FY27 Operating Budget

Special purpose fund

Moved, second, passes via roll call 9-0


Resolution 26-28 Salary Schedule: Full Time Elected Official (Town Clerk)

State law requires separate vote

So moved, second, passes 9-0 via roll call


Resolution 26-29 Expenditure Limits For FY27 on Departmental Revolving Funds

State law requires, dedicated revolving funds for the purpose, expenses adjusted as needed 

So moved, second, passes 9-0 via roll call


Resolution 26-33 Capital Round 2

ma-franklin.civicplus.com

So moved, second,

Discussion on use of the auditors to provide some guidance on providing for the claims through June 30 but would be filed after July 1

Need the cash and a plan for an "oops"

Question on the code review for Parmeter, this was a recommendation from the Police Station Building Cmte in January

Q on the Senior Center sprinkler system, vendor selection underway

No money left for the fire truck? The bond anticipation note is in the budget, could be part of the free cash discussion next year 

Not really making capital investments with free cash, just buying time plugging holes here and there 

Motion to amend the resolution by the Parmenter code review and use that for fire truck stabilization account Amendment roll call passes 5 yes, 4 no 

Motion on the resolution as amended passes 8-1 via roll call


Resolution 26-34 Appropriation From Group Insurance Trust Fund

ma-franklin.civicplus.com

So moved, second, via roll call passes 9-0


Resolution 26-35 Ambulance Transfer and Appropriation

lead time is now 24 months, so the money already ready for it can place the order now for delivery later

So moved, second, passes 9-0 via roll call 


Resolution 26-23 Community Preservation Fund: Annual Appropriation and Reservation

So moved, second, clarification on the allocation per state requirement 

Passes 9-0 via roll call


Resolution 26-24 on amended Project Slate from CPC

So moved, second discussion Q on municipal housing trust allocation from CPA 

Finally the vote passes 9-0 via roll call


Resolution 26-30 Snow & Ice Stabilization Transfer to Operating BudgetFY26

So moved, second, passes 9-0 via roll call 

No FEMA funds expected


Resolution 26-31 Capital FY26 Stormwater Enterprise Fund Appropriation Move $90k for asset management grant

So moved, second, via roll call passes 9-0


Discussion on the stabilization account balances Any changes to it would be through the fiscal policy which determines the allocations from free cash Timings can affect the balances Audit report is coming in July due to Town Council and schedules and other items


The recording runs almost 3 hours, let’s listen

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1761-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-06-03-26/




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The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/FR_5FicbhCM?&t=208 


Agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06032026-2346 


My Notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-xvjEmKCCw_H0m67ex_Dz4l5l6VsorYr/view?usp=drive_link 


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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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