FM #1836 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1836 in the series.
This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The Committee meeting opened with 8 members present, 1 absent (LoPresti).
Quick recap:
The meeting is Zoom only this evening
Network issues in the TV studio here as well as on Hutchinson St are preventing the cable and YouTube broadcasts. the recording will be processed after the meeting to be broadcast via cable and YouTube
Updated during the session, YouTube did get enabled
Votes to re-organize the leadership of the committee
Nominations for Chair, one received, Ryan, vote passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)
2 nominations for Vice-chair; Jen and Tom, vote via roll call, Jen wins
One nomination for clerk, Tom, the vote is 8-0-1
Michelle Monsegur is introduced as the Deputy TA, she will be taking the lead on the finances allowing Jamie to do other planning and development efforts
Discussion on the five year forecast, budget update first view to FinCom altho the Joint Budget did get to see this at their August meeting
Health care transition is doing well; there are still funds available for claims processing. claims still coming in but at a lesser amount per week, still may see claims in Feb 2027. Also mentions the 'stop loss' policy to cover claims above a certain amount. Can't really get out of the transition until the next fiscal year.
The anti-development message in Franklin has won, the Planning Board is canceling meetings as there is nothing in the pipeline, ZBA also canceling meetings due to lack of proposals
Next up, fiscal policies up for review. They should be voted on for an October meeting but this is a time for review, revision if needed. Some are guidelines and not really policies for the flexibility point of view. Add language such that it better defines when the policy can be deviated from
Jim Lane provides some of his Franklin story as he is the newest member and what he brings to the Committee
Future meetings: Oct 14, Oct 28, and Nov 4, Nov 18 on the tax rate workshops, i.e. split vs single tax rate
Joint Budget membership stays the same
Motion to adjourn, second, passes 8-0-1
The recording runs about 99 mins, let’s listen
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1836-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-09-23-26/--------------
The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uWibaiJg9c
Agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232026-2522
My Notes in one PDF -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ApqplmawvhJIaayvRjWK7VqY3Vjj_xd8/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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