Showing posts with label FY 2024. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FY 2024. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

FHS Senior Lola R. Richardson Selected as Finalist, 13 Commended by National Merit Scholarship Program

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Joshua Hanna are pleased to announce that senior Lola R. Richardson has been selected as a finalist for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program, with an additional 13 seniors named Commended Students

As a finalist, Richardson will receive a Certificate of Merit attesting to her distinguished performance in the competition. Approximately 7,140 of the over 15,000 finalists will earn scholarships between March and June.

Lola R. Richardson
Lola R. Richardson
Richardson is described as a remarkable student whose teachers recognize her as an essential member of their classrooms. She has taken many Advanced Placement courses and is heavily involved in activities and programs at school. Richardson is a member of the 40% Club, works as a mentor and counselor at Franklin Summer Music Camp, plays the accordion, flute and piano, and holds a first degree black belt in Taekwondo.

"I am excited to be a finalist because I have worked very hard and put in consistent effort towards my studies throughout my life," said Richardson. "Being selected as a finalist feels like all of that hard work is being recognized, which is a rewarding feeling, regardless of whether or not I win a scholarship."

Richardson says that her most meaningful high school experience was her participation in the All-State music festival during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years. Outside of school, she works as a pianist at the Franklin United Methodist Church.

Richardson was accepted into Berklee College of Music and received a full tuition scholarship. She has not finalized her decision, but is likely to attend Berklee next year. 

The 13 Commended Students are recognized for their exceptional academic promise demonstrated by scoring among the 50,000 highest scorers nationwide on the 2022 Preliminary/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. They will receive letters of commendation from the district, and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program.

Commended Students
Commended Students

The Commended Students include: Aayush Srinivas, Adithya Balagurumoorthy, Aditya Sharma, Andrew Van Marter, Anna David, Anton Sackley, Arnav Deshpande, Ava Reijmers, Brady Flynn, Charles Call, Christopher Bartlett, Jennifer Soohoo and Liana Warnakulasooriya.

"We are incredibly proud of Lola for becoming a finalist for the scholarship, as well as each of the Commended Students for this prestigious achievement," Superintendent Giguere said. "All of these students have worked incredibly hard to accomplish this, and they are very deserving of the recognition."

About National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)
Since its founding, NMSC has recognized over 3.4 million students and provided some 451,000 scholarships worth over $1.8 billion. The honors awarded by NMSC to exceptionally able students are viewed as definitive marks of excellence. Recipients of Merit Scholarship® awards, Achievement Scholarship® awards, and corporate-sponsored Special Scholarships have increased the nation's respect for intellectual accomplishments and have contributed significantly to its talent pool of future leaders.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Reminder: Town Council meeting February 28 at 7 PM

Among the key items for the Town Council meeting scheduled Wednesday, February 28 at 7:00 PM, are the following:


6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM
a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-901 (formerly 23-901): Zoning Map Changes from Single Family Residential III to Business an Area On or Near King Street, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map
i. Legislation for Action #9a.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Discussion: OPEB Actuarial Report - Dan Sherman, Sherman Actuarial Services

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
b. Resolution 24-03: FY24 Capital Improvement Plan
(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-03 - Majority Vote)

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_2.28.24.pdf


Monday, February 19, 2024

Capital Budget Subcmte to review adjustment to what FinCom already approved - Feb 21 at 10:00 AM

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
February 21, 2024 - 10:00 AM


Discussion:

1. FY24 Capital Plan “Round 1”
a. Town Administrator Memo
b. FY24 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans
c. Quotes
2. Next Meeting Date

Full agenda doc (note, no remote participation scheduled for this meeting)

Capital Budget Subcmte to adjustment to what FinCom already approved - Feb 21 at 10:00 AM
Capital Budget Subcmte to review adjustment to what FinCom already approved - Feb 21 at 10:00 AM

Friday, December 1, 2023

This Talk Franklin covers the FY 2025 budget cycle starting with the tax rate for FY 2024 getting set (audio)

FM #1107 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1107 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" session with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.  


Topics for this session

  • Budget cycle starting new with tax rate hearing pinning FY 2024

  • Tough decisions face in FY2025 and beyond

  • Migrant housing situation stabilized


The recording runs about 39 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1107-talk-franklin-11-28-23



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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator


Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 


Agenda for Tax rate hearing Nov 21, 2023  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/november_21_2023_town_council_tax_hearing_agenda.pdf 


Budget cycle and financial terms audio with Chris Sandini & Kerry Bertone

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/04/the-town-of-franklin-budget-cycle.html


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

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"


This Talk Franklin covers the FY 2025 budget cycle starting with the tax rate for FY 2024 getting set (audio)
This Talk Franklin covers the FY 2025 budget cycle starting with the tax rate for FY 2024 getting set (audio)

Saturday, November 18, 2023

In this Talk Franklin we cover ribbon cuttings, FY 24 budget adjustments, and looking forward to Thanksgiving (audio)

FM #1099 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1099 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" session with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti. We had our conversation in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.  


Topics for this session

  • Ribbon cutting held for Schmidt’s Farm, ground breaking for Beaver St Interceptor

  • FY 2024 budget adjustments, tax rate hearing, Tri-County debt exclusion

  • Election turnout disappointing

  • Thanksgiving break, Turkey Trot, FHS Football at Fenway


The recording runs about 25 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Amy on Tuesday, November 14, 2023


Audio link ->
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1099-talk-franklin-11-14-23


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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator


Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 


Schmidt’s Farm ribbon cutting (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/ribbon-cutting-at-schmidts-farm.html 


Beaver St Interceptor ribbon cutting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/beaver-street-sewer-interceptor_0561651916.html 


Beaver St Interceptor page  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/beaver-street-interceptor


Agenda for Tax rate hearing Nov 21, 2023  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/november_21_2023_town_council_tax_hearing_agenda.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"


In this Talk Franklin we cover ribbon cuttings, FY 24 budget adjustments, and looking forward to Thanksgiving (audio)
In this Talk Franklin we cover ribbon cuttings, FY 24 budget adjustments, and looking forward to Thanksgiving (audio)

Monday, November 13, 2023

Finance Committee hears about adjustments to the FY 2024 budget and gives approval (audio)

FM #1095 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1095 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. 


They met as scheduled to review the adjustments to the FY 2024 budget. 


These adjustments are a checkpoint in the full budget process. Some assumptions made early in the process (i.e. for State funds) can now be adjusted to be more real as the State budget, still in development at the time Franklin's was developed, is now finalized. Well, almost but that is another item for another day.


These adjustments are made each year before the Town Council tax classification hearing sets the rate later this month (Tues, Nov 21). 


The Town Administrator's memo outlined the adjustments to reduce new growth, local receipts, and among other items add $1,000 to the Disability Commission to enable the funding for the annual Disability Expo. For some unknown reason, they previously did not have a budget at all ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/fiscal-year-2024-fy24-budget-adjustment.html


One of the adjustments made was the removal of the communications position jointly funded between Town and School budgets. At a time when the Town (overall) could really use a central point to handle communications (the past several years have shown the benefits of that position)), they currently are operating without one. What wasn't mentioned in the meeting is that there are plans to hire an outside firm to provide such services at a savings vs. the current position. Stay tuned to this topic.


The meeting recording runs about 46 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting Nov 8, 2023.


Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1095-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-11-08-23


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Agenda ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov_8_fin_com_agenda.pdf


Watch the Franklin TV video available for replay (less than 50 minutes) -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWsbriG2ngw (meeting begins approx. 2 minutes into the video)


Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 


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


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"


Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM
Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Finance Committee hears about adjustments to the FY 2024 budget and gives approval

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, November 8 to review the adjustments to the FY 2024 budget. Agenda ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov_8_fin_com_agenda.pdf

These adjustments are a check point in the full budget process. Some assumptions made early in the process (i.e. for State funds) can now be adjusted to be more real as the State budget, still in development at the time Franklin's was developed, is now finalized. Well, almost but that is another item for another day.

These adjustments are made each year before the Town Council tax classification hearing sets the rate later this month (Tues, Nov 21). 

The Town Administrator's memo outlined the adjustments to reduce new growth, local receipts, and among other items add $1,000 to the Disability Commission to enable the funding for the annual Disability Expo. For some unknown reason, they previously did not have a budget at all ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/fiscal-year-2024-fy24-budget-adjustment.html

One of the adjustments made was the removal of the communications position jointly funded between Town and School budgets. At a time when the Town (overall) could really use a central point to handle communications (the past several years have shown the benefits of that position)), they currently are operating without one. What wasn't mentioned in the meeting is that there are plans to hire an outside firm to provide such services at a savings vs. the current position. Stay tuned to this topic.

Watch the Franklin TV video available for replay (less than 50 minutes) -> 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWsbriG2ngw (meeting begins approx. 2 minutes into the video)




Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM
Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers
355 East Central Street

Agenda
1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment

3. FY24 Budget Amendment
a. Town Administrator memo, revised budget document and backup materials  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3a_fy_budget_amendment_materials_0_0.pdf

4. Future Agenda Items

5. Recurring Business:
a. Approval of Minutes - None scheduled
6. Adjourn

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM
Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM

Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget Adjustment details to be reviewed by Finance Committee Nov 8, 2023

To: Finance Committee
From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator

Re: Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget Adjustment

We are requesting the Finance Committee support the amendment to the FY24 Town operating budget and recommend the changes to the full Town Council for their approval prior to setting the annual tax rate on November 21, 2023. This proposal amends the final budget approved in June 2023.

Five-Year Fiscal Forecast Update

We drafted a five-year forecast, with assumptions, for FY25-FY29. Please review the forecast that was presented at the August 2, 2023 Joint Budget Subcommittee (JBSC). At the October JBSC, we gave high level revenue trends throughout Quarter 1 of FY24. The next forecast will be in 2024.

Revenue Adjustments

The following is a summary of the proposed revenue adjustments to the FY24 operating budget. The total revenue downgrade figure is $310,491.

1. According to the Assessor’s final approval, the town will need to downgrade “New Growth” figures by
$158,380 due to less investment in personal and commercial property improvements. After a few record breaking New Growth years, it appears the economy is beginning to show signs of slowdown.

2. Cumulatively, Local Receipts are on target through Quarter 1 (9/30/23) but we are requesting a downgrade by $150,000 to reflect three trends:
a. Building fees have not met projections through September due to fewer overall permits, as well as the types of permits for smaller construction projects.

b. Hotel tax will likely slightly decline due to the Commonwealth’s lack of a firm commitment for the entire fiscal year in funding the 6% local option tax for the hotel temporarily housing migrant families through the state's Emergency Assistance Shelter Program. That said, the state has recently committed to paying the local tax for 90 day durations, per family, which is good news.
 
We are confident the Commonwealth with be working with cities and towns throughout the fiscal year to ensure we receive as much of our revenue projections as possible; and
c. A modest reduction in meals tax revenue to correspond with the loss of traditional hotel rooms.

3. State Aid, Assessments & Other Revenues should see an overall decrease of approximately $2,111 after the state local aid, education, county assessment, and state budget formulas settle out. Please note the Legislature has not finalized FY24 yet, with potential overrides of the Governor’s vetoes and a supplemental budget filed by Governor Healey pending.

Expense Adjustments - Decreases

The attached resolution depicts the changes within each departmental account on the voting document. A summary of proposed expense reductions are as follows:

1. Line item 123 - The Town Administrator’s personnel and expense budgets will be reduced $58,014. The total reflects the reduction in costs for the Marketing & Communications position for 8 months ($22,514), six months of unfilled Administrative Assistant positions ($26,500), and additional expenses that are not anticipated to materialize in the Administrator’s expense budget (sign lease $9,000). Please note the Marketing & Communications position was a joint position with the School Department, which reduced the financial obligation in the school budget as well. The benefits for that position was reduced in line item 910, as the town budget included the benefits for this position.

2. Line item 390 - Tri-County School will be reduced $100,553 due a decrease in Franklin students attending the school, thus our assessment was lower.

3. Line item 910 - Benefits to be reduced $148,257 due to fewer health insurance subscribers and an increase in employees on the high deductible plan.

Expense Adjustments - Increases

1. Create a Disability Commission line item and add $1,000 to the budget for expenses. As many of you know, the Commission has spearheaded an annual fair with vendors and activities. For some reason, the Commission has never had a line item in the budget. The Town should be funding expenses for the conference and have funds like all of the other boards and committees in town.

2. Add $5,000 to the Elections budget for a pilot to test a new voting tabulator machine. The Clerk hopes to test this out in the March primary to evaluate its effectiveness for the money.

Stormwater Adjustment-Decrease

As this is the 1st year with a Stormwater Enterprise Fund, we propose reducing the Stormwater budget by $200,000 and plugging the gap with County ARPA funds to ensure the Town can depict to DOR a solvent enterprise fund with a small and proper surplus at the close of the fiscal year.

Please let us know if you have any questions

This memo was shared from pages 2-3 from the FinCom meeting agenda doc which also contains remote participation info ->

Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM
Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM