Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for meeting Weds, Nov 13 at 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

November 13, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 

– Town Council Chair, Vice-Chair & Clerk

2. 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.

3. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen

Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled

5. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

6. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled

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

8. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - Blisspoint LLC d/b/a Blisspoint Meadery  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7a._license_transaction_-_blisspoint_meadery.pdf

9. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 24-65: FY25 Budget Amendment

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-65 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/24-65-fy25-budget-adjustment-and-reconciliation

b. Resolution 24-66: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Towns of Wrentham and Norfolk for Shared Public Health Services

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-66 - Majority Vote)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/24-66_-_ima_public_health_services_-_google_docs.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

12. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee/Joint Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Police Station Building Committee

f. GATRA Advisory Board

13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

14. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

15. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption: To review and approve minutes from Town Council Executive Sessions  

b. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Town unions) - 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.

16. ADJOURN

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov_13_2024_tc_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for meeting Weds, Nov 13 at 7 PM

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (audio)

FM #1311 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1311 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 6, 2024. 7 of the 9 members were present in the Council Chambers and 2 members absent (Batchelor, Hamilton). 

Quick Recap:

• Committee voted to keep the same org structure as prior given status and new members, etc. Conley, Chair, Riley, Vice-Chair, Corbesierio, Clerk (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)

• Committee approved the minutes for the 3 budget hearings in May (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the recommendation on FY25 Budget Adjustments and the committee voted to recommend them as discussed to the Town Council  (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)

• Jamie took time to outline the new Town and School Finance and Human Resources organization restructure, a work in progress for a number of years and finally operational, answered a number of clarification questions 

• Jamie also presented the FY24 Preliminary Expense Recap & Local Receipts year-end report  and the Stabilization Account Report and answered a number of clarification questions

• Brief update on the FY26 Budget Model and Fiscal Forecast Update, discussion around dodging a massive increase in the Norfolk County Retirement Fund, procedurally the Retirement Board should have bene more forthcoming about the increase, they weren't, still an item to watch

• Related to the retirement funding, it had been anticipated that once it was fully funded (approx. 2032, now 2035), those funds could be reallocated to the OPEB account and start paying that down more sooner. Confirmed delayed to 2035 currently

• As a result of the OPEB funding process, why doesn't the Town consider helping the Schools with the "hold harmless" funding. Can't be done all at once, it is about 12-15 Million, but the town is chipping away at OPEB, we should consider chipping away at the "hold harmless" too

• member comments lead to discussion (and future discussion) around how the committee can help raise the awareness of the community on the fiscal issues. More to come on that front

The meeting runs about 1 hour & 50 minutes. Let’s listen to the Finance Cmte meeting Nov 6, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1311-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-11-06-24/

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The Finance Cmte agenda can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-06_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf 

Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ejPhlcZs29g?si=otfRPnwkBa6Yta-B&t=158 

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nZYVtQx2ljoXcuxpA78ltwoeWgRxKIlB/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 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. 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!

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

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 gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (audio)

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (video)

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Nov 6 with 7 members participating in Council Chambers and 2 members absent (Batchelor, Hamilton)

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ejPhlcZs29g?si=otfRPnwkBa6Yta-B&t=158

The agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-06_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf

Quick recap:

• committee voted to keep same org structure as prior given status and new members, etc. Conley, Chair, Riley, Vice-Chair, Corbesierio, Clerk (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• committee approved the minutes for the 3 budget hearings in May (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the recommendation on FY25 Budget Adjustments and the committee voted to recommend them as discussed to the Town Council  (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• Jamie took time to outline the new Town and School Finance and Human Resources organization restructure, a work in progress for a number of years and finally operational, answered a number of clarification questions 
• Jamie also presented the FY24 Preliminary Expense Recap & Local Receipts year-end report  and the Stabilization Account Report and answered a number of clarification questions
• Brief update on the FY26 Budget Model and Fiscal Forecast Update, discussion around dodging a massive increase in the Norfolk County Retirement Fund, procedurally the Retirement Board should have bene more forthcoming about the increase, they weren't, still an item to watch
• Related to the retirement funding, it had been anticipated that once it was fully funded (approx. 2032, now 2035), those funds could be reallocated to the OPEB account and start paying that down more sooner. Confirmed delayed to 2035 currently
• As a result of the OPEB funding process, why doesn't the Town consider helping the Schools with the "hold harmless" funding. Can't be done all at once, it is about 12-15 Million, but the town is chipping away at OPEB, we should consider chipping away at the "hold harmless" too
• member comments lead to discussion (and future discussion) around how the committee can help raise the awareness of the community on the fiscal issues. More to come on that front

My notes captured during the meeting ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nZYVtQx2ljoXcuxpA78ltwoeWgRxKIlB/view?usp=drive_link

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (video)

Notice of Public Hearing - Property Tax Classification FY25

The Franklin Town Council will hold a Public Hearing in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. on the issue of allocating the local property tax levy among the 5 property classes for the Fiscal Year 2025. 

The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion of local property tax policy. Interested taxpayers may present oral or written information on their views.

Prior to the setting of the tax rate, the Town Council must adopt a Residential Factor following which the Council selects the percentage of the levy to be borne by Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property.

Citizens are welcome to attend public meetings in person. Additionally, citizens will be able to continue to participate remotely via phone OR Zoom. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) on and after November 15, 2024 and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.

Submitted by,

Julie McCann

Operations Assistant to the Town Administrator

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-20_tax_rate_hearing_legal_ad_-_website.pdf

Notice of Public Hearing - Property Tax Classification FY 2025

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee agenda for meeting Wednesday, Nov 6 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 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. Annual Election of Officers

a. Chair

b. Vice-Chair

c. Clerk

3. Public Comment

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Finance Committee cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Finance Committee may ask town staff to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the town staff from correcting a misstatement of fact.

 

4. Approval of Minutes

a. May 6, 2024  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-05-06_finance_committee_meeting_minutes_-_google_docs.pdf

b. May 8, 2024  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-05-08_finance_committee_meeting_minutes_-_google_docs.pdf

c. May 15, 2024  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-05-15_finance_committee_meeting_minutes_-_google_docs.pdf

5. Town Administrator Recommendation on FY25 Budget Adjustment

a. Town Administrator Memo  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._-_memo_-_fy25_budget_adjustment_and_reconciliation_-_google_docs.pdf 

b. FY25 Budget Voting Resolution  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._-_24-xx_general_fund_appropriation_transfers_and_adjustment_fy25_-_google_docs.pdf

c. FY25 Q1 Year to Date expense report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5c._ytd_budget_expenditures_q1_fy2025.pdf 

d. FY25 Q1 Local Receipts report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5d._local_receipts_enterprise_revenues_budget_to_actual_report_september.pdf

6. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive” Series

a. Town and School Finance and Human Resources organization restructure  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6._a_-_finance_org_chart_-_10-31-24.pdf

7. Standing Updates:

a. FY24 Preliminary Expense Recap & Local Receipts year-end report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/memo_-_standing_updates.pdf

b. Stabilization Account Report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7b._stabilization_fund_balances_-_three_year_comparison.pdf

8. FY26 Budget Model and Fiscal Forecast Update

9. Future Agenda Items/Next meeting

a. December 11th, 2024 or Joint Budget Subcommittee

b. January meeting will review FY25 Capital plan

10. Finance Committee Member Comments

11. Adjourn

The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-06_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee agenda for meeting Wednesday, Nov 6 at 7 PM

School Committee Meeting gets feedback issue resolved, approves handbooks, hears of bus plan & more (audio)

FM #1266 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1266 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. 7 members participated; 5 in chambers, two were remote (Callaghan, Sompally).

Quick recap:

• Superintendent Giguere reported on the opening professional development days Monday & Tuesday; all together at FHS Monday with a welcome, breakfast, group activities and a student produced video; teachers and staff with school based activities 

• Staffing update: hired 44 positions this summer, 6 teacher vacancies, 9 ESP vacancies, and 9 other non-union vacancies remain as of 8/27/24. As noted in follow up questions, this # is a little higher than prior years, complicated by 48 resignations during the summer, most in the past 2 weeks, hiring process still underway. 

• Transportation update: 31 remain on wait list after a new bus was added to the school 'fleet'. The bus provider has the busses and drivers we need, the same number of busses as last year was what they started with, then added one Monday. There is one other bus funded by the State for the students at the hotel. 

• Transportation letter referenced ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/fps-letter-providing-school.html

• All students registered and paid (partially or fully) by deadline are slotted for a bus

• 31 students remain on a wait list after one bus was added

• Bus passes won't be checked until Sept 16 to allow for the "who's really riding, who's not" process to get sorted out

• Bus capacity in some cases may be high but those at the scheduled stops will get a ride at least thru the 16th

• Discussion and approval (7-0 vote via roll call) for the school handbooks; discussion focused on the changes some significant, some minor to the handbooks vs. prior year, photos of the slides for FHS, middle schools, and elementary schools are available in one album (when presentation gets updated to meeting page, link will be added) https://photos.app.goo.gl/hcjHqYuWPNvg4ca8A 

• Now that the handbooks are approved, they will be posted to the Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-handbooks 

• FY25 Revised Final Budget Vote - I recommend approval of the FY25 School Budget in the amount of $77,470,190.00 as discussed ** Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call by 7-0 vote. Note that the "base" for next year would be $1m less than this due to the one time funds

• Policy 2nd Reading/Adoption - I recommend adoption of Policy GBEBD - Online Fundraising and Solicitation - Crowdfunding as discussed. ** Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call by 7-0 vote

The recording runs about 1 hour & 43 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1266-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-08-27-24/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  

https://www.youtube.com/live/sahovop6Kv0?si=sDlNZtXfQ-KJCgBg&t=1159

Agenda doc  -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4746981/SCAGENDA_8-27-24.pdf    

Meeting packet folder -> (docs released for this meeting, some of them available after the meeting)  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/august-27%2C-2024-sc-meeting-packet/692601 

My notes in one PDF ->  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lnpeEhrwjgVtZypRj-9T6iHGBfNHgjkT/view?usp=drive_link 

Handbook slides ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/hcjHqYuWPNvg4ca8A 

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

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"

FHS slide on handbook changes

School Committee Meeting gets feedback issue resolved, approves handbooks, hears of bus plan & more (video)

The Franklin, MA School Committee met as scheduled  on August 27, 2024 beginning at 7 PM. After working through some sound feedback issues in Council Chambers with Zoom, the meeting really got into the agenda approx. 7:20 PM.

Franklin TV video link (starting with the resumption of the meeting) ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/sahovop6Kv0?si=sDlNZtXfQ-KJCgBg&t=1159

Quick recap:

• Superintendent Giguere reported on the opening professional development days Monday & Tuesday; all together at FHS Monday with a welcome, breakfast, group activities and a student produced video; teachers and staff with school based activities 
• Staffing update: hired 44 positions this summer, 6 teacher vacancies, 9 ESP vacancies, and 9 other non-union vacancies remain as of 8/27/24. As noted in follow up questions, this # is a little higher than prior years, complicated by 48 resignations during the summer, most in the past 2 weeks, hiring process still underway. 
• Transportation update: 31 remain on wait list after a new bus was added to the school 'fleet'. The bus provider has the busses and drivers we need, the same number of busses as last year was what they started with, then added one Monday. There is one other bus funded by the State for the students at the hotel. 
• Transportation letter referenced ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/fps-letter-providing-school.html
• All students registered and paid (partially or fully) by deadline are slotted for a bus
• 31 students remain on a wait list after one bus was added
• Bus passes won't be checked until Sept 16 to allow for the "who's really riding, who's not" process to get sorted out
• Bus capacity in some cases may be high but those at the scheduled stops will get a ride at least thru the 16th
• Discussion and approval (7-0 vote via roll call) for the school handbooks; discussion focused on the changes some significant, some minor to the handbooks vs. prior year, photos of the slides for FHS, middle schools, and elementary schools are available in one album (when presentation gets updated to meeting page, link will be added)
• https://photos.app.goo.gl/hcjHqYuWPNvg4ca8A
• Now that the handbooks are approved, they will be posted to the Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-handbooks
• FY25 Revised Final Budget Vote - I recommend approval of the FY25 School Budget in the amount of $77,470,190.00 as discussed ** Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call by 7-0 vote. Note that the "base" for next year would be $1m less than this due to the one time funds
• Policy 2nd Reading/Adoption - I recommend adoption of Policy GBEBD - Online Fundraising and Solicitation - Crowdfunding as discussed. ** Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call by 7-0 vote

Meeting agenda doc ->

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4746981/SCAGENDA_8-27-24.pdf

My set of notes captured during the meeting ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lnpeEhrwjgVtZypRj-9T6iHGBfNHgjkT/view?usp=drive_link

FHS slide on handbook changes

School Committee Approves FEF close out, hears summer update from Lifelong Learning, formally accepts $1M from Town (video)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met as scheduled Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Five members were present in Council Chambers, 2 were absent (Charles, McNeill).

Quick recap:

• School dates for opening new year 

• Aug 26, teachers report 

• Aug 27 Professional development day

• Aug 28 First day for 1st - 12 grades

• Aug 29 First day for K

• Aug 30 No school (Labor Day weekend)

• Sep 3 pre-K first day

• Staffing update - 19 hired thus far, some still open, some resignations still coming in

• Redistricting status update - work progressing, principals announced, asst principals announcement forthcoming, work on the district alignment progressing, still working toward a release target of Sept/Oct. The boundary line info would go to the School Committee for review first, no word on the formal closing of the prior redistricting committee or the set up of a new process to continue the work during the school year to prepare for Sep 2025

• New website published as of July 1. Mobile client available for download to Apple or Android devices. Links still being fixed, content generally there and items being added as identified. Notifications not yet turned on

• Lifelong Learning Summer program update - photos of the presentation were captured during the meeting in one photo album; the Lifelong Learning program is fee based and thus self funded, the fees taken in cover the expenses incurred

• Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) votes - two votes were taken to start the process of formally closing out the FEF (a 501(c3) organization) and rolling over the remaining funds they have (approx. $150K) to enable the District to continue their work with such funds; details remain to be worked out on the ‘grant application’, approval, and communication process

• FY 2025 budget update - some curriculum development work accomplished during summer but less than previous years due to budget cuts, the last of the additional funds approved by the Town Council ($1M from the debt stabilization account, one time funds) was accepted by the Committee by a 5-0 vote during the meeting

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://youtu.be/qA_oBUUMs0A?si=BWM0ekJVTq2Qffuc&t=95

Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_school_committee_meeting_6.pdf     

Meeting packet folder -> (docs released for this meeting, some of them available after the meeting)  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/8%2F13%2F24-sc-meeting-packet/685844 

My notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gr8uvNEdDqoW8Irw8pjg3McXgxhRi4ai/view?usp=drive_link 

Audio link -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/school-committee-approves-fef-close-out.html

Lifelong Learning Summer Update )pix of slides shared) -> 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FfeYoJc8S5UhAsVJ8 

School Committee Approves FEF close out, hears summer update from Lifelong Learning, formally accepts $1M from Town (video)