Finance Committee closes out 16+ hours of budget hearings with proposed adjustments (video)

The Franklin Finance Committee completed a record setting set of 4 budget hearings covering every line item in the FY 2027 budget in almost 17 hours over 4 nights. 

The start of this last session was delayed by about 20 minutes to fix the Zoom link and get it reposted for the agenda, calendar, and appropriate social channels.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/3oIsBHQ73Ts?&t=1170

The amended agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04092026-2222

My full set of notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NzSDXoQxk7P0ztXRKjPpcPTPrZgBNE78/view?usp=drive_link

Dept of Arts, Culture & Creative Economy metrics as referenced by Cory Shea during the budget hearing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zQV7NQTLRSy1UnPKxad0wtW8Q-76YqOc/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• This session was time well spent by the Committee to review the potential adjustments to the budget and come to a consensus on them. They started with a set of goals and a process to work through the listing of the items for discussion based upon what had occurred over the prior three nights.
• They wanted to minimize use of free cash. The end proposal recommends 1.8M of free cash rather than $2M
• They wanted to move some of the regular recurring 'capital items' to the ops budget where they belong. They took a step in that direction with less than $100K of police gear putting that in the Ops budget. Next cycle those items won't need to come before the Capital budget as a request
• They made a strategic investment in a couple of positions. One already in the budget for a part time clerk in the Assessors office, and additional hybrid inspector/admin help for the Building Commissioner's team. This should help the assessors and inspectors to do the work they need to do while providing some additional administrative help to help the work flow and improve our permit and tax base (both revenue generators)
• They proposed reducing the Facilities expense budget
• They confirmed the need for restoration of the Deputy Town Administrator and the School Resource officers (SROs)
• They will request that the Schools look as possibly using more of their revolving funds to help balance their budget and in turn free up more free cash on the Town side to not be used for the overall budget
• The complete set of the adjustments will be written up, presented by the FinCom to the Town Council and Joint Budget Subcommittee. The line item adjustments will be made and incorporate some other updates for the Town Administrator to issue a revised budget proposal before the Council gets to finalize their vote at the June 10th meeting. It may not be ready for the May 20-21 Council budget hearings, the key item that still might be outstanding before those hearings is the FY 2027 health costs as the annual enrollment completes April 30

last view of the working doc used in the FinCom session

FinCom set up in the 3rd floor training room

Kaye Kelly Talks About her book "The Modern Creative" (audio)

FM #1491 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1491 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Kaye Kelly, musician, teacher, arts advocate and now author of her first book; "The Modern Creative: A Practical Guide for 21st Century Artists."  We had our discussion on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio.

 

We talk about 

• Kaye’s life in Franklin

• Teaching at Berklee, raising a family, performing

• Leading to her first book

• Ear training, a real thing for aspiring musicians

• Flexibility and grace in living the artist life

The recording runs about 34 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1491-kaye-kelly-talks-about-the-modern-creative-08-05-25/

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Steve & Kaye in the Studio

Kaye Kelly’s home page ->  https://www.kayekelly.com/ 

Berklee profile age -> https://college.berklee.edu/faculty/kaye-kelly 

Instagram  “One Creative Life” https://www.instagram.com/one_creative_life/ 

Book page (updated 8/25/25) https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=m7dWfcl6RUnVnNweFHZMUQF93WmKKD9tDueEdVZCNxb

A brief Berklee video explaining more about ear training -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOR5AtFhomI 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

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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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Call for artists for the Franklin Cornhole Project

Spring has SPRUNG - and do we have some projects for YOU! Check out all the new 'Call for Artists' on our website!

- Fairy Trails and Franklin Tales

- Artsy Boxes

- Micro Galleries

- The Art of Play - Franklin Cornhole Projects

Most of these calls include a stipend for artists!! Don't miss out!

"The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy is seeking artists to create/share vibrant, pieces of artwork for cornhole boards that will be used at town festivals and events for years to come! This is a unique opportunity to bring public art into an accessible, interactive setting, allowing the community to experience and enjoy local creativity in a whole new way.Upcoming events  these boards will be featured: Strawberry Stroll, Farmers Markets, PorchFest!"

Entry submission for Cornhole Project is May 1, 2025 

More info and entry form -> https://www.franklinma.gov/1107/Call-for-Artists

Call for artists for the Franklin Cornhole Project

Cultural arts a key force for our economy

Via the Mass Cultural Council 

On Monday, Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbitt and Senior Director of Public Affairs Bethann Steiner testified before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways & Means in support of the Agency’s $28 million funding request for Fiscal Year 2026.

The hearing, which was held in Gloucester City Hall and chaired by Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Senator Jake Oliveria, was focused on the Governor’s H. 1 budget recommendations for various economic development focused secretaries, state agencies, boards, and commissions, such as the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the Executive Office of Economic Development, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Mass Cultural Council, Mass Board of Library Commissioners, Commission on the Status of Women, and the Cannabis Control Commission.

During their presentation, Mass Cultural Council’s representatives outlined the reasons for the Agency’s $28 million request and were available to respond to questions from the Committee members. Once the Committee completes its schedule of hearings, the House Committee on Ways and Means will release its spending plan for debate in April, followed by the Senate budget debate in May. FY26 begins on July 1, 2025.

Related to this action:

"Artists and cultural organizations fuel our economy, communities, and identities as a vital health and human service—yet too many are barely getting by.

Today Mass Cultural Council released the 2024 Massachusetts Cultural Asset Inventory. This comprehensive project, developed in collaboration with Diversity North Group, identifies and documents thousands of cultural organizations, programs, and individuals contributing to the state’s vibrant cultural landscape.

The Cultural Asset Inventory provides a wealth of information that will be instrumental in informing future cultural policies, programs, and initiatives. Its key findings are outlined in the Agency’s press release and detailed in a Summary Report, and County Fact Sheets."

Continue reading the article -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/this-is-a-wake-up-call/

Press release on Fact Sheets -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/2024-cultural-asset-inventory-reveals-key-insights/

Final report on Asset Inventory -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/2024_MA_Cultural_Asset_Inventory_Final_Report.pdf  or  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vHBMogmqINexnjd7zdyK1-xI_dXIT3VZ/view?usp=drive_link

Norfolk County summary ->   https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/2024_MA_Cultural_Asset_Inventory_Norfolk_1pager.pdf  or 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13oWWJ3CqvQ9DHkvrzcfXyLvqWE5TNda3/view?usp=drive_link

YOU'RE Invited!! Cultural Volunteer & FY25 Grant Recipient Reception - March 13 at 7 PM

A Night of Gratitude – Honoring Franklin's Cultural Volunteers & Grant Recipients

Thursday, March 13  7 - 8:30 PM | Dean College | Guidrey Center, Paula Rooney Student Center RSVP here! Dear Franklin Community, We invite you to an evening of celebration, appreciation, and connection—where we come together to honor the people who make Franklin's cultural heartbeat so strong. This special night is dedicated to you—our incredible volunteers, artists, and supporters—who pour passion, time, and creativity into making Franklin a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. We will recognize our FY2025 grant recipients, whose work continues to inspire and enrich our community. And we are honored to celebrate a group of outstanding cultural volunteers whose dedication has made a lasting impact on Franklin's arts and culture: Amy Adams – Franklin Cultural District Sarah Cronin – Franklin Cultural Council Lauren Kloos & Roger Trahan – Franklin Farmers' Market Brenna Johnson – Franklin High School Ceramics Instructor & Empty Bowls Coordinator with the Franklin Food Pantry This event is free and open to all, and we would love to celebrate with as many of you as possible. We can't wait to share this evening of gratitude, laughter, and community with you. Thank you for being part of Franklin's creative story! Town of Franklin Franklin Culture District | 355 East Central Street | Franklin, MA 02038 US