Showing posts with label FY 2023. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FY 2023. Show all posts

Monday, May 9, 2022

Finance Committee: Budget Hearing #2 - Public Safety & Public Works - May 11, 2022 - 6:30 PM

Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #2
May 11, 2022 - 6:30 PM 
Municipal Building – Council Chambers


 
Agenda
1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

4. FY23 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing Continued...
FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

a. Public Safety:
i. 210 Police Department
ii. 220 Fire Department
iii. 225 Regional Dispatch
iv. 240 Inspection Department
v. 292 Animal Control
b. Department of Public Works (DPW):
i. 422 Public Works
ii. 424 Street Lighting
iii. Enterprise Funds:
1. 450 Water
2. 440 Sewer
3. 434 Solid Waste

5. Future Agenda Items

6. Adjourn

Agenda doc with remote connection info ->


Saturday, May 7, 2022

Finance Committee: Budget Hearing #1 - General Government - May 9, 2022 - 6:30 PM

Finance Committee 
Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 
Monday, May 9, 2022  - 6:30 PM
 
Agenda
1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes
a. March 9, 2022

4. 2022 Capital Budget Round 2

5. FY23 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing:

FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website
a. General Government - Accounts 111 Town Council, 123 Town Administrator, 131 Finance Committee, 135 Comptroller, 141 Assessors, 147 Treasurer-Collector, 151 Legal, 152 Human Resources, 155 Information Technology, 161 Town Clerk, 164 Elections & Registration, 176 Appeals Board (ZBA), 177 Planning & Growth Management, 184 Agricultural Commission, 192 Public Properties & Buildings, 196 Central Services

b. Human Services - 510 Board of Health, 541 Council on Aging, 543 Veterans Services

c. Culture & Recreation - 610 Library, 630 Recreation, 690 Historical Museum, 691 Historical Commission, 695 Cultural Council, 696 Cultural District Committee.

d. Debt & Interest - 710 Debt Service - Principal, 750 Debt Service - Interest

e. Employee Benefits: 910 Retirement & Pension, 945 Risk Management (Liability Insurance)

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Adjourn



FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website
FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

Sunday, May 1, 2022

State Representative Jeff Roy shares an update on the House FY 2023 budget


"The House of Representatives passed its Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget this week. This budget responsibly responds to the needs of residents and makes targeted investments to support families in the Commonwealth. 

Funded at $49.73 billion, the House’s FY23 budget continues its strong commitment to cities and towns, and includes significant investments in health care, education, housing, and workforce development, among other priorities. It also includes a number of amendments I sponsored, including $500,000 for the Genocide Education Trust Fund and a one-year extension of funding for the Electric Vehicle Incentive Programs. 

Locally, Franklin and Medway received funds (highlighted in the graphic below) to help with substance use disorder, food insecurity, economic development, mental health screenings in schools, and voter enhancement. 

Many thanks to Speaker Ron Mariano and Ways & Means chair Aaron Michlewitz for their leadership in getting this budget finalized."


Shared from Facebook: 
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10166022393985034&id=534850033&set=a.119664745033 

State Representative Jeff Roy shares an update on the House FY 2023 budget
State Representative Jeff Roy shares an update on the House FY 2023 budget

Thursday, April 21, 2022

The Town of Franklin Budget Cycle & Financial Terms - 04/14/22 (audio)

FM #780 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 780 in the series. 


This shares my conversation with Town of Franklin Finance Director/Comptroller Chris Sandini and Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone. We had this conversation in the Franklin studio on Thursday, April 14, 2022.  


We cover the following key topics

A typical day for Finance Director/Comptroller

A typical day for Treasurer//Collector

The budget cycle, and fiscal year (July to June)

Three financial years; past, current, and future all in the mix


Our conversation runs about 62 minutes. Links to the documents referenced during this meeting are included in the show notes.  Let’s listen to this recording of my conversation with Kerri and Chris. 


Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-780-town-of-franklin-budget-cycle-finance-terms-04-14-22



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Town of Franklin budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 


Budget process low chart -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/new_budget_process.pdf 


MA Division of Local Services (DLS) Municipal Finance Glossary -> https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/qc/dlsmfgl.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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters" 


Town of Franklin budget cycle
Town of Franklin budget cycle

FY23 Budget Materials Now Available to prepare for FinCom budget hearings in May

FY23 Budget Materials Now Available!

The FY2023 Town of Franklin budget materials are now available online here: https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-23-budget-materials

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/fy23-budget-materials-now-available

The Finance Committee budget hearings are scheduled for May 9, 11 & 12.


FY23 Budget Materials Now Available!
FY23 Budget Materials Now Available!

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Insights on the House Ways & Means budget vs. Gov Baker's H2 budget starting point

For those closely following the State budget process (it does have significance to the local budget process) Tracy Novick's analysis of the House Ways & Means budget released last week vs. the Governor's budget H2 released in January is a must read.

"The House Ways and Means budget was released Wednesday, April 13. The account by account detail can be found in sections 2 & 3, at the end of which you can find town by town and district by district allocations for local aid, including Chapter 70. The Department of Revenue Division of Local Services have likewise updated their preliminary cherry sheets; the municipal cherry sheets are here; the regional cherry sheets are here. 

I have now updated my FY23 account by account spreadsheet, as well. 

Let me start by highlighting a couple of things that are different than the budget proposed by Governor Baker in January, and then I'll run through the accounts."

Continue reading Tracy's analysis here ->

Links in Tracy's article

Budgets are moral documents, what we fund is what we value
Budgets are moral documents, what we fund is what we value


Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Commonwealth Magazine: MA House budget to be released on Weds; agreement on priorities leads to worry

"THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE budget, which will be released from the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday, will include major new investments in early childhood education targeted at expanding the workforce and helping providers that offer subsidized care to low-income families.  
However, the changes, which are aimed at increasing the accessibility of childcare, do not address the problem that many middle-class families have affording the state’s expensive private pay childcare system.  
“We have to start somewhere, and the subsidized programs serve our most vulnerable students and children,” said House Education Committee Chair Alice Peisch at a press conference at Ellis Early Learning in Boston. Peisch chaired a special commission that examined the economics of early childhood education and made myriad recommendations for improving the system, to the tune of $1.5 billion a year."
Continue reading the article online 


https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseWaysMeansBudget
https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseWaysMeansBudget


"KEY BEACON HILL lawmakers said on Monday they were supportive of Gov. Charlie Baker’s bid to tilt health care more toward behavioral and primary care, but they worried that the $1.4 billion spending mandate over three years would result in higher health care spending.

At a hearing of the Legislature’s Health Care Financing Committee, Baker and Marylou Sudders, his secretary of health and human services, pushed for passage of legislation that would require health care providers to boost spending by 30 percent over three years on primary care, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and geriatric care.

The bill requires providers to boost their spending in those areas while still remaining within the health care cost benchmark established by the Health Policy Commission. But several members of the committee said they were concerned about the potential for a rapid runup in health care spending. "
Continue reading the article online
 

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

School Committee gets answers to their budget questions

Quick recap:
  • The formal budget hearing of the proposed Franklin School budget for FY 2023 was held on Tuesday evening. In the format similar to that of the Town Council after the presentation overview, the budget was read at a line item level and members of the committee had an opportunity to "hold" the line for further discussion. The discussion began after the complete listing was read. 
  • The presentation provided the overview on the budget development, timeline indicating next steps (Committee vote scheduled for Apr 12 meeting) and eventual hearings at Finance Committee and Town Council before final approval.
  • I encourage folks to watch the replay (or listen to the audio). The nature of the questions were primarily concerning clarification of this or that increase/decrease and quickly answered sometimes without even referring to the thick budget book or their notes. The insights on how and why generally tied back to an objective of the district's approach to education based upon the "Portrait of a Graduate." It really was quite impressive to see the level of detail being used to answer questions as easily as it was. Only one question required a response of "Can I get back to you on that?"
  • The classroom challenges today are met with approaches that are different from that of our classroom experiences, or that of our parents. The students are met where they are and helped along the way. Yes, we spend less than most other communities (either 75% or 78% spend more depending upon which measure is used) but the results we get are top quality.
  • A clear indication of those student accomplishments are seen almost everyday with sports results, academic achievements, musical, or theatrical performances. We should all be quite proud of what we have. Could we do better? There is room for improvement yes, and some of the wish list was also referenced during the presentation. One community question raised this point in regards to a Deputy Principal position cut from the high school a few years ago. That role was acknowledged as being missed and is currently being made up in other ways as the district continues to evaluate how best to bring it back and what it could cost to do so.

School budget for FY 2023 (and prior)  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget



The Twitter thread of my notes and photos captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/18oZq9R2K7-viFx3WMI5-lcDumfgBdpZf/view?usp=sharing

The audio of the meeting (and transcript) will be available in a day or so.
 

School Committee gets answers to their budget questions
School Committee gets answers to their budget questions 


Monday, March 21, 2022

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - Storm water fee, capital budget, and the FY 2023 Budget process

This episode shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of March 16, 2022

  • ok, what just happened? 
  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Recognitions/promotions

  • Police Department - Sergeant Connor Crosman
  • Police Department - Detective Laura Canavan
  • New Hire: Police Department - Derek Mackey

Storm water received 1st approval

Capital plan

Preliminary FY23 Budget Model

Our conversation runs about 37 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to Tom and I in this Town Council Quarterbacking session

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-756-town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom-mercer-03-18-22

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Town Council Agenda document -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-march.html  

Recording & Transcript -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/town-council-hears-about-storm-water.html 

My notes for the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HKbbsQfgbgIjPbUx7DbMGikfrXo2iI68/view?usp=sharing 

--------------

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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters" 

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - Storm water fee, capital budget, and the FY 2023 Budget process

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - March 22, 2022

Franklin School Committee
March 22, 2022 = 7:00 PM
Municipal Building – Council Chambers


Call to Order Ms. Spencer 
Pledge of Allegiance 
Moment of Silence 

FY23 Budget Open Hearing 


I. Routine Business 
A. Review of Agenda 
B. Citizen’s Comments 
In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made ….  A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment ….  The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH 
C. FHS Student Representative Comments 
D. Superintendent’s Report 

II. Guests/Presentations 
A. none 

III. Discussion/Action Items 
A. Policy – 2nd Readings / Adoptions I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed: 
● BEDB – Order of Business 
● BEDH – Public Participation at School Committee Meetings 
● EBCFA – Face Coverings 
● JICFB - Bullying 

IV. Discussion Only Items 
A. none 

V. Information Matters 
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Supt. Evaluation, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Space Needs/Facilities Assessment) 
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, (SATF) Substance Abuse Task Force, (SWAC) School Wellness Advisory Council, (SEPAC) Special Education Parent Advisory Council, (DEI) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee). 

VI. New Business 
A.  To discuss any future agenda items 

VII. Consent Agenda 
A. Approval of Minutes 
I recommend approval of the minutes of the March 1, 2022 special meeting and the March 8, 2022 regular School Committee Meeting as detailed. 
B. Recurring Field Trip 
I recommend approval of the request of Beth Jenson & Jennifer Martinelli to take Keller 5th graders to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on May 27, 2022 as detailed. 
C. Budget Transfers 
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed. 
D. JFK Gift I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,240.80 from the JFK PCC for supplemental supplies as detailed. 
E. Scholarship 
I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from Takashi & Keiko Kitanosono for a FHS Scholarship as detailed. 
F. RMS Gift 
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,299.94 from Lifetouch/Shutterfly, LLC for in-house enrichment at Remington Middle School as detailed. 
G. Music Gift 
I recommend acceptance of a check for $230.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment for the Music Dept. as detailed. 
H. Jefferson Gifts 
I recommend the acceptance of two checks totaling $5,101.64 for Jefferson Elementary School as follows: 
Donors Choose $101.64  Supplemental Supplies 
Jefferson PCC $5,000.00  Field Trips 

VIII. Payment of Bills Ms. Spencer 
IX. Payroll Ms. Stokes 

X. Executive Session 
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares. 
b. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with non-union personnel. 

XI. Adjournment

Agenda document ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-22-22.pdf

Agenda packet -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/march-22-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - March 22, 2022
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - March 22, 2022


Monday, March 14, 2022

Your time is needed (NOW) to pay attention to the storm water utility fee discussion

One of the recurring themes here is citizen engagement. And yes, while I attend many of the meetings and report on them so you don't need to, this week and this budget season, is THE time for you to be more engaged, period. 

Why?

The Town budget determines what services we get from the Town. No matter whether it is a pickleball court, or a ball field with nicely cut grass, books on the shelf at the library or the café reopening at the Senior Center. The Town of Franklin is a service organization providing for all our needs and "there ain't no such this as a free lunch" (the TANSAAFL principle). Everything costs something. 

If you paid attention last week, the School Committee got their first view of the school budget. The Finance Committee got a deep dive on the DPW and all it does. The Joint Budget Subcommittee got their first look at the overall town budget. (links to the meeting audio and transcripts are provided below.)

Surprise, the initial revenue projection doesn't meet the initial expense projections. So how do we figure that out? 

This is where YOU come in to the act. If you believe that what happens in Franklin matters to you, then follow along as the discussion takes place to resolve the budget deficit this year. 

1 - Find out how the storm water utility fee takes managing storm water expenses down a more fair approach. Everyone pays a little vs. the taxpayers bearing the full burden. 

2 - Watch, listen, or read what happens at the Town Council meeting Wednesday as the discussion/action item comes up for review.

Storm water information links

 - Storm water utility information flyer https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/utility_flyer_extended_version_reduced_size.pdf

 - EPA MS4 permit quick facts and takeaways  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/ms4_permit_-_quick_facts.pdf

 - Storm water items on the Wednesday Town Council agenda

Stormwater Presentation - Department of Public Works  - 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/stormwater_utility_fee_presentation_2022.pdf 
 
ii. Stormwater Management Plan:
Year 2 Update, July 3, 2020 - 393-page Federal Stormwater Permit 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_swmp_year_2_update_7-3-20_for_town_with_appendicies.pdf
July 2021 Update   
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021.06.29_franklin_py3_swmp_update.pdf 
 
iii. Department of Public Works:
& Parcel Level Impervious Surface Map   
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

 

Last week's meeting links (audio and transcript) 

TA Jamie Hellen, Miriam Goodman and Supt Sara Ahern presenting to the Joint Budget Subcommittee
TA Jamie Hellen, Miriam Goodman and Supt Sara Ahern presenting to the Joint Budget Subcommittee

Sunday, March 13, 2022

Joint Budget Subcommittee gets first view of projected budget deficit for FY 2023 (audio & transcript)

FM #751 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 751 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held Thursday, March 10, 2022. 


The first such meeting of this recharged group combining Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee members


NEW: A transcript of the recording is available. The transcript is part of a pilot by Franklin Matters using the transcription service provided by Otter.ai https://otter.ai/ 


The meeting opened at 6:30 PM and ran an hour and 45 minutes.


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Meeting agenda and budget overview document ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-10_joint_budget_subcommittee_mtg_agenda.pdf


Meeting transcript -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XfN8Ig5eVvBbILAk_PcUAiCJw7h7JICu/view?usp=sharing 


--------------


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"

 

TA Jamie Hellen, Miriam Goodman and Supt Sara Ahern presenting to the Joint Budget Subcommittee
TA Jamie Hellen, Miriam Goodman and Supt Sara Ahern presenting to the Joint Budget Subcommittee