June 12, 2026 Town Council Approves FY27 Operating Budget and Capital Investments
The Town Council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) operating budget, establishing the Town's financial blueprint and funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Please read the short, two-page FY27 Budget Snapshot and Summary of key investments and highlights of the budget process: FY27 Budget Snapshot and Summary (PDF). The FY27 budget review process began with the Finance Committee conducting several budget hearings totaling more than 17 hours of review and discussion. Throughout the process, committee members worked closely with Town and School officials to evaluate departmental requests, review financial projections, and develop recommendations for the Town Council. The Franklin School Committee and Town Council have met jointly twice since the election, showing voters that collaboration is at the center of the work plan for the legislative session. Many members have been also attending their respective meetings and working very closely together through this budget season. The FY27 approved budget does not include any proposals for an override, tax increase or other new rate increases to balance the budget. The budget also does not include any proposed reduction to key town departments, including the Franklin Public Schools (FPS), Fire Department, Police Department or Public Works, Senior Center or Library. These approvals represent important milestones in advancing Franklin's operational, capital, public safety, and community preservation priorities for FY27. With the budget now approved, Town departments will move forward with implementing the programs, services, and investments outlined in the fiscal year plan. The FY27 budget reflects a collaborative effort among Town Councilors, Finance Committee members, School Committee members, Town and School staff, and department leaders to support the services, infrastructure, and community investments that residents rely on while maintaining a commitment to responsible financial planning. Check out the two-page budget snapshot and summary: FY27 Budget Snapshot and Summary (PDF) Take a Closer Look: FY27 Budget Archive Explore Town budget archives dating back to 2016: Franklin Budget Archive Center View it on website |
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Town Council Approves FY27 Operating Budget and Capital Investments for Franklin, MA
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Finance Committee closes out 16+ hours of budget hearings with proposed adjustments (audio)
FM #1728 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1728 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee Budget Hearing, the Last of 4 sessions to go over the FY 2027 budget. The meeting was held in Council Chambers with 7 of 9 members present.
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
Let’s listen in
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1728-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-4-04-09-26/
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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
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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 out. 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"
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Nancy Danello joins this "Talk Franklin" episode to talk elections with Jamie, Amy and I (audio)
FM #1144 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1144 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares a new format for "Talk Franklin'' with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti.
This episode features a conversation on the 2024 elections with Town Clerk Nancy Danello. We recorded our discussion in person in the 3rd floor Training Room on Thursday, January 25, 2024.
Topics for this session
Quick news highlights
Franklin Ridge received $8.5M funding
Town Council goals set for next 2 years
Jamie elected as Vice-President of Mass Municipal Assoc (MMA)
Elections for 2024
Presidential Primary - March 5
State Primary - September 3
Presidential Election - November 5
Quick outlook
Council Meeting - Jan 31
Finance Mtg - Feb 6
Council Mtg - Feb 28
Joint Budget Cmte - March 6
The recording runs about 47 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie, Amy & Nancy on Thursday, January 25, 2024 Audio link -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin---A-Podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office-e2f34do/a-aatdjc7
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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator
Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://open.spotify.com/show/6q76wsRAKGPuEZ8mzEGvP2
Town Clerk page for Elections -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerkelection-administrator/pages/important-information-regarding-elections-voting
Top 10 billboard hits on voting
https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/election-themed-songs-james-brown-alice-cooper-hits-7572297/
10. Paula Webb, “Please, Mr. President” (No. 60, 1975)
9. Black Sheep, “The Choice Is Yours” (No. 57, 1992)
8. Jeezy feat. Nas, “My President” (No. 57, 2008)
7. The Radiants, “Voice Your Choice” (No. 51, 1965)
6. Johnnie Taylor, “I Could Never Be President” (No. 48, 1969)
5. James Brown, “Funky President (People It’s Bad)” (No. 44, 1974)
4. Johnny Sea, “Day For Decision” (No. 35, 1966)
3. Alice Cooper, “Elected” (No. 26, 1972)
2. Re-Flex, “The Politics of Dancing” (No. 24, 1984)
1. Arcadia, “Election Day” (No. 6, 1985)
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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
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
 |
| Nancy Danello joins this "Talk Franklin" episode to talk elections with Jamie, Amy and I (audio) |
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Jamie & Amy provide updates on FinCom, migrants, municipal aggregation, and outlook to Council Mtg (audio)
FM #1064 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1064 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" session with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti. We had our conversation in the Municipal Building on Monday, September 18, 2023.
Topics for this session
Finance Cmte recap
Migrant update
Municipal Aggregation
Town Council outlook
• Open Space plan
• Council goals update
• Tri-County ballot question
• Demolition bylaw
• Spring St decommission
The recording runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Amy on Monday, September 18, 2023 Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1064-talk-franklin-09-18-23
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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator
Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin
Finance Committee agenda for 9/13/23 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/finance_committee_agenda_9.13.23.pdf
Town Council agenda for 9/20/23 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_sept_20_2023.pdf
--------------
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
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
 |
| Jamie & Amy provide updates on FinCom, migrants, municipal aggregation, and outlook to Council Mtg (audio) |
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Town Council approves CPC appointments, closes out FY 2023, refers 2 bylaw mods to Planning Board, welcomes new Deputy Administrator (audio)
FM #1019 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1019 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. 8All 9members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.
Brief recap:
The appointments to the Community Preservation Committee were approved. 6 were reappointed to a new term. One new member representing the Planning Board was made. Two existing members terms did not expire this year and will continue
Downtown parking bylaw was adjusted for anew start time to account for a change in the MBTA schedule as well as the overnight parking restriction changed for Fri-Sat nights to allow for the late hours of Teddie Gallagher's. Modified bylaw moved to 2nd reading as amended
3 resolutions closed out the accounting transactions for the FY 2023 fiscal year for this time. The MECC fund which was reallocated to be part of the school adjustment effectively regained what it 'lost' as there were excess funds that needed to accounted for
A resolution to clean up some house keeping for the land swap with the State was approved. There was not material fund impact, the funds had already been approved in prior years, the text of the measure needed to be adjusted as requested by the State to better account for their process and records
2 bylaws were referred to the Planning Board, both had come forward from the recent Economic Development committee meeting; one to adjust the marijuana overlay district maps, two to allow for reduce impervious coverage in general residential 5 zoning
new Deputy Town Administrator Amy M. Frigulietti was introduced. She starts in July
The recording runs 1 and 35 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 21, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1019-town-council-mtg-06-21-23
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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_21_2023.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/157tLQi6nFbWEu9QOBPSiUBfdR_M6cyn5/view?usp=drive_link
The meeting video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/P6oDVqj_xqI
--------------
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
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
 |
| Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for June 21, 2023 Meeting |