Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - April 17, 2024 - agenda for meeting

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment

3. Approval of Minutes

• a. December 13, 2023   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3a._fincom_minutes_-_2023.12.13.pdf
• b. February 7, 2024   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3b._fincom_minutes_-_2024.02.07.pdf

4. Town Fiscal Policies

• a. Review and Approve Draft “2024 Town Financial Policies”   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/4a._2024_fiscal_policies_draft_v2.pdf
• b. Current 2022-03 Fiscal Policies   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/4b._2022_fiscal_policies_revised_final_approved.pdf

5. Town Administrator FY25 Budget Proposal 

• a. Hearings: May 6 (General Gov), May 8 (Public Safety/DPW), May 15 (Education)
• b. School Committee Override Request   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._school_committee_override_letter.pdf
• c. State House News Article April 10, 2024 Chris Lisinki   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5c._house_proposes_57.9_bil_budget_for_new_fiscal_reality_house_of_representatives_statehousenews.com_.pdf

6. Standing Updates:

• a. Quarterly Year to Date Report    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6a._ytd_budget_expenditures_dec_2023_1.pdf
• b. Stabilization Report   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6b._stabilization_fund_balances_2-29-2024.pdf
• c. DOR Releases 2024 Statewide Median Household Price  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-average-single-family-tax#fy2024-

7. Adjourn

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_4.17.24.pdf

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - April 17, 2024 - agenda for meeting

School Committee votes to approve $81M budget, now has to work to get it funded all or in part, and deal with the results (audio)

FM #1169 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1169 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in the Council Chambers. All 7 members participated; (6 in Chambers, 1 remote (Gallagher).

Quick meeting recap:

• Horace Mann Middle School provided an update on their school year , goals and objectives

• The School Committee voted for their budget totaling $81,319,261.00. Now they need to work with the Town Council to fund it all or in part and deal with the results

• Joint meeting April 24 at FHS Auditorium with Town Council and School Committee

• The School Committee voted unanimously not to accept new School Choice students for the 2024-2025 School year. Not a change, likely to be possible in future depending upon school district long term planning results available later this year (i.e. redistricting)

• Voted unanimously to adopt policy JFABB – Admittance of Foreign Exchange Students

My notes captured via Twitter are available in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nL3N1QI_hV-xrY0VllU2iZyJw4HOREcK/view?usp=drive_link 

The meeting recording runs about 90 minutes.    Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1169-franklin-ma-school-committee-mtg-04-09-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast of the session is available for replay on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8KxgjR7dhk

School Committee agenda ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_4-9-24.pdf 

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet

Photos of the presentation doc shared ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/PxKxwydbV64HKmFx9

School Budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget 

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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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

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"

one slide from the HMMS presentation on curriculum flow & delivery

Town of Franklin, MA: FY 2025 Budget released for review and discussion

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen released the proposed FY25 Budget as required by the Franklin Home Rule Charter. 

To view the proposed FY25 Budget, click on the link below:

https://t.co/QXneD0RCgk

Town of Franklin, MA: FY 2025 Budget released for review and discussion

Note: The Town budget is required to be balanced. The number shown from the Schools request is NOT the School budget amount approved by the School Committee on April 9, 2024. The full impact of what would be cut to bring the budget into balance or be considered as an override amount will be the focus of the joint meeting with Town Council and the School Committee on April 24 at the Franklin High School Auditorium (7 PM). 

There won't be a vote April 24 but there will be community input accepted. The Town Council will vote on the major questions If, when, and what amount, at their May 1 meeting.

Town Administrator's Recommended FY25 Budget Materials

• FY25 Town Administrator Budget Message (per Town Charter Section 6-4-1)
• Appendix A1 - Town Administrator Recommended Budget Voting Document & Budget Book (per Town Charter provision 6-5-1 & 6-5-2)
• Appendix B1 - Franklin Superintendent's Recommended FY25 Budget Executive Summary
• Appendix C1 - Historic Data: Budget Breakdown
• Appendix C2 - Historic Data: Operating Revenue
• Appendix C3 - Historic Data: Fixed Cost
• Appendix C4 - Historic Data: Local Aid
• Appendix C5 - Historic Data: Local Receipts
• Appendix C6 - Historic Data: Assessments
• Appendix C7 - Historic Data: New Growth
• Appendix C8 - Historic Data: Free Cash Balances
• Appendix C9 - Historic Data: FC & RE

School Committee to hold FY 2025 budget hearing Tuesday, Mar 19 at 7 PM

Friendly remainder, the School Committee is scheduled to hold their FY 2025 budget hearing at their scheduled meeting Tuesday night.

F. FY25 Budget Open Hearing 

(presentation doc not posted but the full budget book is available ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf)

The full agenda including remote participation info can  be found

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_3-19-24.pdf

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-19-2024-school-committee-meeting

School Committee to hold FY 2025 budget hearing Tuesday, Mar 19 at 7 PM

What's this about a possible override for Franklin?

The first pass of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025) budget as presented to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting last week shows the Town of Franklin facing a $10.1 million deficit. The numbers will continue to be worked. As discussed during the meeting, breaking news that afternoon showed a reduction in the projected cost increase for health care that had just been received. That will be adjusted for future budget discussions.

The timeline for the budget development is as follows:

• School Committee budget public hearing - March 19

• School Committee votes on school budget recommendation - April 9

• Town of Franklin FY 2025 budget scheduled for release - April 12

• Joint Budget Subcommittee - (TBD - possible Apr 17?)

• Finance Committee budget hearings - May 6, May 8, May 15 (vote)

• Town Council budget hearings - May 22, May 23 (vote)

If there were to be an override, the decision on “When?” is as critical as “How much”? Election requirements call for 35 days notification of a vote on a ballot question. Hence, a vote scheduled for June would have to be decided no later than early May

Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

School budget page -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget

Recent meetings/documents (most recent on top, scroll down for prior)

** School Committee meeting - March 19

• FY25 Budget Open Hearing  ->   (budget book) https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf
• Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1161-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-03-19-24
• Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YXw4dnXUqk 

** Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting - March 6

• Joint Budget audio recap with Mercer, Conley & McNeill -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/tom-george-david-recap-joint-budget.html

• Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D33RO5xYoUg   

• Meeting agenda ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda_-_march_6_2024.pdf 

• Presentation document link -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-03-06_fy25_budget_slides_jbsc.pdf

** School Committee Superintendent’s budget - March 5

• Chalkboard chat audio session recapping SchCmte meeting & Joint Budget meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/this-chalkboard-chat-recaps.html

• Franklin TV's video recording of the meeting is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sEe-JcCn_k

• The agenda doc can be found online ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-5-24.pdf

• The packet folder containing other documents released for the meeting can also be found online ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/march-5-2024-school-committee-meeting
  

Visit One Franklin to find out more about the group and their efforts advocating for the override https://onefranklinma.com/

What's this about a possible override for Franklin? 

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the Superintendent's School Budget & next steps (audio)

FM #1154 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1154 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and Ruthann O’Sullivan. We had our conversation via the Zoom conference bridge on Friday, March 8, 2024. 

The School Committee had their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. We recap that meeting in our discussion as well as get their insights on the Joint Budget meeting as well as the Comprehensive School Facilities Planning work also underway. 

Topics:

• Superintendent Recommended Budget for FY 2025

• Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting March 6 started the formal process to develop the FY 2025 budget including the decision around a possible override

The recording runs about 42 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and Ruthann O’Sullivan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1154-chalkboard-chat-03-08-24

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 

Contact info for Ruthann O’Sullivan  osullivanr@franklinps.net 

School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

Superintendent’s Recommended budget -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/recommended-fy25-budget

03/05/24 meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/3-5-24-agenda 

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/march-5-2024-school-committee-meeting 

Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sEe-JcCn_k 

The “Chalkboard Chat” image was the result of a joint collaboration with Mickayla Callaghan. Thank you!

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

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 Chalkboard Chat recaps the Superintendent's School Budget & next steps (audio)