Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for the March 13, 2024 Meeting

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

March 13, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers, 355 East Central Street

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. February 28, 2024   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/february_28_2024_tc_meeting_minutes.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION - None Scheduled

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-905: Zoning Map Changes From Single Family Residential III To Business, An Area On Or Near King Street

(Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 24-905 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/zoning_bylaw_amendment_24-905.pdf

b. Resolution 24-14: Direction for Issuance of Request for Expressions of Interest for Purchase / Lease and Redevelopment of Former Davis Thayer Elementary School, 137 West Central St. (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-14 - Majority Vote)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/resolution_24-14.pdf

c. Resolution 24-15: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library ($4,817.48) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-15 - Majority Vote)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/24-15-_gift_acceptance_library_0.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. FY25 Budget Update  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee

f. Police Station Building Committee

g. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption #1:To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or Individuals. 

b. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (Police, Fire, Public Works, Facilities, Library) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-03-13_town_council_agenda_0.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for the March 13, 2024 Meeting

Joint Budget Subcommittee presentation doc available for review

The presentation doc used for the joint presentation by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere is now posted to the Town budget page and available for further review.

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

Town Administrator’s Preliminary FY25 Budget Model

a. Town Administration Memo  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/joint_budget_subcommittee_memo_2.pdf

b. Committee Charge  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/joint_budget_subcommittee_memo_2.pdf

c. FY25 Revenue & Control Sheet  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_control_sheet_budget_model.pdf 

d. February 13, 2024 School Committee Budget Discussion Slideshow  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/feb_2024_school_committee_budget_update_0.pdf

Additional info will be added to the FY 2025 budget page as the budget gets fined tuned over the next several weeks  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D33RO5xYoUg

Joint Budget Subcommittee presentation doc available for review

Joint Budget Subcommittee get the details on the current $10.1 million budget deficit

The Joint Budget Subcommittee heard from Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere as they outlined the challenges leading to the current $10.1 Million budget deficit the Town of Franklin is facing for Fiscal Year 2025.

The presentation is supposed to be posted to the Town page Thursday. In the meantime, screen grabs of most of the slides shared are available in the photo album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/b4HcchHohAs9vqrJA

Presentation doc found (3/08/24  pm) ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-03-06_fy25_budget_slides_jbsc.pdf

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D33RO5xYoUg

My notes captured via Twitter and found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m42hRAFdfM-OX-brLa6epXiuEktOEeWU/view?usp=drive_link

Town Administrator’s Preliminary FY25 Budget Model

a. Town Administration Memo  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/joint_budget_subcommittee_memo_2.pdf

b. Committee Charge  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/joint_budget_subcommittee_memo_2.pdf

c. FY25 Revenue & Control Sheet  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_control_sheet_budget_model.pdf 

d. February 13, 2024 School Committee Budget Discussion Slideshow  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/feb_2024_school_committee_budget_update_0.pdf

slide from school part of the presentation

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting starts discussion on Preliminary Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget Model - “We’re All in this Together”

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting

(Members of the Town Council, School Committee, and Finance Committee)

March 6, 2024 = 7:00 PM

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

Agenda

1. Town Administrator’s Preliminary FY25 Budget Model

a. Town Administration Memo  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/joint_budget_subcommittee_memo_2.pdf

b. Committee Charge  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/joint_budget_subcommittee_memo_2.pdf

c. FY25 Revenue & Control Sheet  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_control_sheet_budget_model.pdf

d. February 13, 2024 School Committee Budget Discussion Slideshow  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/feb_2024_school_committee_budget_update_0.pdf

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen writes:

"The Perfect Storm has arrived. In anticipation of the March 6th meeting, we have prepared a preliminary Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget model based on the information we have to date. The deficit, established from initial assumptions in the budget model, is $10.095 million or just a hair under $10.1 million. 

FY25 Budget Process Update
We have met with every department and received preliminary assessments from outside entities (Animal Control, MECC, CRPC District, Retirement Board, etc.) that are reflected in the town's budget.
We have included Governor Healey’s H1 budget numbers into the model which represents a $76,782 decrease in local aid, however we do not expect any substantial increases in local aid by the end of July. Although the legislative session ends July 31st, we expect the FY25 state budget will last deep into the summer, thus we should not expect an avalanche of additional state aid to arrive to solve any of these financial pressures. Furthermore, the Chapter 70 formula and how it relates to Franklin has been well documented and discussed for many years. We need to keep this in mind as we continue budget discussions. 

In the coming weeks, line items will continue to be altered as new information becomes available through mid-April when our formal budget is released, tentatively scheduled for April 12, 2024. The Finance Committee budget hearings are May 6th (General Government, Culture & Recreation, Senior Center, Benefits, Debt/Interest, etc.), May 8th (Public Safety, Public Works, Inspections) and May 15th (Education). Town Council budget hearings are May 22nd and May 23rd. 

We will present a new five year fiscal forecast with the April 12th budget submission. 

Please visit the budget website for the process and archival budget materials"

The full agenda and supporting docs can be found ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda_-_march_6_2024.pdf

 

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting starts discussion on Preliminary Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget Model - “We’re All in this Together”

In this Chalkboard Chat session, we talk of the School Budget as released for the Feb 13 School Committee Mtg (audio)

FM #1150 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1150 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV Studio on Monday, February 26, 2024. 

The School Committee had their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. We recap that meeting in our discussion. 

Recall that Tuesday, a snow storm was forecast, school canceled, the meeting went virtual and the snow didn’t fully come to pass in the amount expected.

Topics:

• SAFE Coalition Overview - Jennifer Knight-Levin

• Budget Overview

• Costa Rica Field Trip Proposal

• Italy Field Trip Proposal

• Joint Budget Subcommittee of March 6 starts the formal process to develop the FY 2025 budget

The recording runs about 43 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1150-chalkboard-chat-02-26-24

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 

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

2/13/24 meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_2-13-24docx.pdf 

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/february-13-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet 

Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpgZMxaUY0I 

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"

In this Chalkboard Chat session, we talk of the School Budget

In this Town Council Quarterbacking session, we recap the meeting of Feb 28, 2024 (audio)

FM #1148 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1148 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, February 29, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

• Brownie troop 64085 led the pledge as part of their work on the Democracy badge

• Zoning change from residential to business, two hours, “No action”

• Procedural move to refer back to the Planning Board for their ‘full’ assessment & recommendation

• The OPEB financial report was presented and reviewed, we are in a better position than we were previously

• FY24 Capital Improvement Plan was approved

• Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($2,900), Senior Center ($200), Police Dept. ($50)  were approved with thanks

• Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 actually 2 resolutions were approved. 

• Joint Budget SubCmte meeting on March 6 will begin work on how to resolve a $10.1M budget deficit across town and school budgets. Agenda and budget details to be released Friday March 1

• Council entered executive session to not return to open meeting for discussion of a matter regarding a real estate purchase

The recording runs about 39 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1148-town-council-quarterbacking-02-29-24

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Town Council agenda for Feb 28, 2024 meeting -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_2.28.24.pdf 

Town Council recap & video link -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/town-council-spends-2-hours-and-takes.html 

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CBubvtPzSJSvQakhmMx1X7M44cCPu7W_/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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 Town Council Quarterbacking session, we recap the meeting of Feb 28, 2024 (audio)

School budget subcommittee gets preview of the 4 scenarios being worked for FY 2025 budget (audio)

FM #1141 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1141 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2024. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room. 

Chair Dave McNeill opened the meeting. School Committee members Dr Paul Griffith and KP Sompally participated. Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Business Manager Dr Bob Dutch, Asst Business Administrator Janaina Vasconcelos-Melotti also participated. 

Quick recap

• Subcommittee meeting starts a few minutes late. Supt Giguere provides an overview of the capital budget process and then expands upon the preview we're about to see. There is a budget workshop on Friday with the school principals, another update planned for February. 

• Dr Dutch walks through the details of the budget development process. Key slide provides a preliminary look at the various budget scenarios. Lots to digest within this slide. More info coming as the budget workshop (mentioned earlier) and further work through Feb leading to the view at the Feb 13 School Committee meeting

• Four basic scenarios reviewed; 

• (1) “less than level service” this would require cuts and reductions, exactly what will be fleshed out over the next weeks. 

• (2) “level service” or survive mode, what would this be like? Feedback also asked “Ok if this is ‘survive,’ what happens next year? 

• (3) “Level service plus” to stabilize the level service and partially restore programs previously cut (i.e. middle school activities and the late bus to support them), 

• (4) “level service and programing thrive” this builds upon #3 restore more positions previously cut and create bandwidth to innovate.

• Meeting ends with additional questions and discussion unasked as it was time to get downstairs for the full committee meeting opening at 7 PM (which actually started late due to this being late)

The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.

The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen to the Budget Subcommittee meeting of Jan 23, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1141-franklin-ma-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-mtg-01-23-24

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Budget Subcommittee agenda

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/1-23-24_agenda-budgetsubcom.pdf

The current operating budget or FY 2024 Budget information -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 

The FY 2025 budget info being developed with this set of meetings and a new link will be added here https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget 

Photos of the slides discussed -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/z7kg8bYxECezQ86v8 

My notes in this ThreadReader PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1efrAyKeGBJSIck0d1wXRdnmg_w3bhdFq/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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"