CommonWealth Beacon: Municipal budgets at the breaking point (audio)

Via the Commonwealth Beacon - The Codcast

"THE ADVOCACY GROUP representing all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts fired a warning flare up to Beacon Hill last month when it published a detailed report likening the budget woes municipalities face to a “perfect storm.”  

But how did communities get to this point? What kind of solutions do they want to see, and what would that mean for taxpayers?  

This week, The Codcast hosts a panel discussion unpacking municipal finance issues with a trio of guests: Massachusetts Municipal Association executive director Adam Chapdelaine, Amesbury mayor Kassandra Gove, and Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance executive director Paul Craney.  

 The Codcast

The report from the Massachusetts Municipal Association found that unrestricted general government aid to cities and towns has dropped over the past two decades once adjusted for inflation, forcing communities to foot the rising bill for services with budgets that are constrained by a cap on property tax increases.  

In Chapdelaine’s view, the current crisis is a mix of longer-term factors that have been building for decades and the “incendiary pressure of significant inflation” in recent years.  "

Audio link -> https://open.spotify.com/episode/4K18Au0Krk2x0mP45WhR2M?si=d_Vkh3-VTu6na39qR3Zfhw

Find the report referenced -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/explore-mmas-new-report-perfect-storm.html

Finance Committee has gets a fiscal discussion but runs out of time to get into the Technology deep dive (video)

The Finance Committee (FinCom) met on Wednesday beginning at 5:30 PM. 8 of the 9 members of the Finance Committee were present, 3 new members were sworn in officially.

Franklin TV broadcast is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMhCNMRndj0

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10222025-1961

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11PCj1OfVixPiPgZ8jrk5-HD7VjH3vuEu/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• The agenda could not be completed in the time allotted before the Town Council meeting at 7:00 PM. The planned 'deep dive' on Technology was the major item as it will be rescheduled to their Nov 5 meeting.
• During Citizen Comments, M Minnechelli spoke on the economics of development proposals, i.e. 444 E Central, and the need for some body, perhaps FinCom to weigh in to help clarify the numbers that are being mentioned which are conflicting and perhaps erroneous. 
• Town Administrator advised not weighing in on the specifics of 444 East Central as the public hearing is underway. However an understanding of the overall economics of development would be a good topic for a future meeting
• Much of the discussion revolved around the fiscal issues currently being faced not just by Franklin but by most communities in the State. The "perfect storm" report by the MMA was referenced. The work underway at the State level to take a new look at local contributions for Chap 70 could affect our "hold harmless" situation. The Federal cuts will affect Mass revenues, and some of that will also affect our State funding.

Explore the MMA’s new report,
"A Perfect Storm: Cities and Towns Face
Historic Fiscal Pressures", to understand why

The MMA "perfect storm" report -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/19iUBj6jDGQuWo8XDCfhwefqnK9WlALK1/view?usp=drive_link

The Town Administrator memo of Aug 7 was refreshed as many appear to have not read it, or understood the implications -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UnddsW97syeHkkVjNOgRlOkKgHgOGiS0/view?usp=drive_link

The agenda doc is rich with links to important financial materials.

Explore the MMA’s new report, "A Perfect Storm: Cities and Towns Face Historic Fiscal Pressures", to understand why

Explore the MMA’s new report,
"A Perfect Storm: Cities and Towns Face
Historic Fiscal Pressures", to understand why

via MMA:

"Massachusetts cities and towns are being forced to make increasingly devastating cuts to essential services for residents. 

 

Our new research with the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University shows why. 

 

Where do we go from here? 

Explore our report and weigh in: www.mma.org/aperfectstorm"

Shared from -> https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mma-a-perfect-storm-fiscal-report-ugcPost-7382148738418413568-pKJW/

MMA: "House OK’s bill to extend remote and hybrid meeting authorizations"

"The House today (3/17/25) passed a bill that would extend the authorizations for local boards and committees to hold public meetings remotely or in a hybrid format for more than two more years.

The bill, H. 62, would also extend the remote meeting option for representative town meetings and permit reduced quorums for open town meetings. The extensions would run through June 30, 2027.

In a prepared statement, Senate President Karen Spilka said the Senate and House have reached agreement on the bill and that her chamber will take it up on Thursday."

Continue to read the article online -> https://www.mma.org/house-oks-bill-to-extend-remote-and-hybrid-meeting-authorizations/

The legislation can be found ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H62

a Franklin Town Council meeting from Dec 2024 with Zoom as the basis for the Franklin TV broadcast

Franklin, MA Town Administrator Jamie Hellen Voted as MMA President

Franklin Town Administrator voted by statewide municipal colleagues to serve as President

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that our Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, has been voted by his colleagues throughout Massachusetts as the 2025 President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Board of Directors. The MMA Board of Directors are made up of municipal leaders, including Town Managers, Mayors, City Councillors, Select Board and Finance Committee members from throughout Massachusetts.

“I am deeply honored that my colleagues throughout Massachusetts chose and voted to have me serve as MMA President this year”, said Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. “Make no mistake, this appointment is less about me personally, but more so recognizes the deep respect that municipal officials across the entire state have for the Town of Franklin. This is a reflection of the creativity, innovation and leadership every single member of our town and school staff have across Massachusetts. This is a team win; the entire town and school staff and Franklin Town Council should be exceptionally proud of their continuous work to distinguish Franklin.”

Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen (left)
will serve as president of the MMA
and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove
(right) will serve as vice president. (MMA Photo)

Mr. Hellen was appointed at a Board of Directors meeting last weekend at the Connect 351 annual conference of municipal leaders in Boston. Over a dozen officials from Franklin attended the conference, including Massachusett Municipal Councillors Association (MMCA) member and Franklin Town Councillor, Melanie Hamblen.

“I am really proud that Franklin has a leadership role in the MMA and a seat at the table with respect to state policy impacting local government” said Town Councilor, Melanie Hamblen, who serves as a member of the MMCA and on many committees, including the Nominating Selection Committee for City Councillors to the MMA Board of Directors. “It is clear many communities across Massachusetts view Franklin as a role model given the leadership the Town has demonstrated over the years. Few people have as much passion, dedication and commitment to public service as Jamie. I am personally very happy for him and our community to be recognized in this way.”

As President of MMA, Mr. Hellen will serve a one year term through next year's annual conference in 2026. The main responsibility of the President is to Chair the monthly Board of

 

Directors meetings, as well as facilitating the Local Government Advisory Council (LGAC) with Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. Each LGAC meeting features top state officials, such as state cabinet secretaries to collaborate on policy decisions at the state level that affect cities and towns.

Mr. Hellen will serve as the 49th President in MMA history. Many longtime residents may also recall that Mr. Hellen’s predecessor, Jeff Nutting, also served as the 33rd MMA President in 2009. The President role rotates between Municipal Mayors, Managers, City Councillors and Select Board members annually. Mr. Hellen will serve as the 15th Town Manager/Administrator in history. 

A list of Past MMA Presidents is here:  https://www.mma.org/about-mma/leadership/mma-past-presidents/

“I’ve been fortunate to serve this community for over four decades on both the Town Council, School Committee and many other town boards. It is never lost on me how fortunate this town has been with respect to leadership and management in our town administration, department heads and school administration” said Tom Mercer, Chair of the Franklin Town Council. “Jamie stepped in for Jeff right away, even before Day 1, and this recognition shows how respected the Town of Franklin is across Massachusetts. The entire community should be really proud of the dedication and success we have had from both Jeff and Jamie over the past 25 years.”

The MMA announcement is here:  https://www.mma.org/jamie-hellen-is-new-mma-president-kassandra-gove-is-vp/

Mass. Municipal Assn: Webinar on how municipalities an support arts & culture (video)

Mass. Municipal Assn (@massmunicipal) posted on Thu, Jun 20, 2024:

"An MMA webinar earlier this week with @masscultural reviewed how municipalities can support arts and culture, as well as the benefits they offer to communities. 

View summary & recording: https://t.co/pifXHVEFlq "

Or -> https://www.mma.org/mma-webinar-showcases-impact-of-arts-culture-in-communities/

An MMA webinar today with the Mass Cultural Council reviewed how municipalities can support arts and culture, as well as the benefits they offer to communities. Speakers included (top row l-r) Michael Bobbitt, Mass Cultural Council Executive Director, Franklin Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Director Cory Shea, Bedford Select Board Member Emily Mitchell; (bottom row l-r) Franklin Cultural District Member Pandora Carlucci, Fitchburg Cultural Alliance President Joe Bowen, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.

MMA: "EPA designates two PFAS chemicals as hazardous"

Via Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA):

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated two so-called forever chemicals — perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) — as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, known as CERCLA, or Superfund.

The EPA’s rulemaking, issued on April 19 and effective on July 8, represents another step in the EPA’s plans to prevent pollution and address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

PFAS have been commonly used in manufacturing because of their stain-resistant, water-resistant, and non-stick qualities. This family of very stable chemicals remains in the environment for a long time and is resistant to traditional contaminant remediation measures. PFAS are also considered hazardous to human health."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://www.mma.org/epa-designates-two-pfas-chemicals-as-hazardous-under-cercla/ 

PFAS mitigations are one of the cost drivers for Franklin, MA water rate increases

https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-drinking-water

PFAS Testing Results on the Franklin wells (2 wells offline now) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/table_to_compare_pfas_results_to_epa.pdf

water treatment system for wells 3 & 6 on Grove St

NEPM: "Massachusetts schools need more funds, some point to flaw in education finance law"

Why are so many school districts faced with funding issues this year? 

There is a common thread and it points to a flaw within the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) funding model. Yes, the model that was redesigned in 2019 to add more funding to the schools in need but some have identified a technical issue in the formula as summarized in this article:

"Fix the funding flaw

A not common alliance is calling on education officials to fix a calculation in Chapter 70. That group, Novick’s MASCA, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts created a FAQ to explain how inflation of the last two years, between 7% and 8 % is a factor.

"... the [Chapter 70] law caps the annual inflation adjustment of the foundation budget at 4.5 percent," the FAQ said. "As a result, districts did not receive funds to cover a significant portion of inflation that they had to pay for in expenses.”

The way the Chapter 70 formula originally worked, the FAQ said, “that would not be a long-term problem because the lost inflation would automatically be added back into the foundation budget in the following year. But a technical change made almost a decade after the law was passed inadvertently changed that. Now when the cap reduces aid below the level needed to keep pace with inflation, that reduction is locked in forever and reduces future aid.”

Continue reading the New England Public Media article online -> https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2024-04-25/massachusetts-schools-need-more-funds-some-point-to-flaw-in-education-finance-law

Thanks to Mass Municipal Association for the pointer to the article ->

https://twitter.com/massmunicipal/status/1783926637169442860

NEPM: "Massachusetts schools need more funds, some point to flaw in education finance law"

Town of Franklin, MA: Jamie Hellen selected as MMA Association Vice-President

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) posted Sat, Jan 20, 2024:

"Congratulations to our Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, on being selected and elected by municipal colleagues as the 2024 @massmunicipal Association Vice-President! #MassMuni24"

@CityofWaltham Councillor John McLaughlin @JMcLaughlin94 (far left) & @TOFranklinMA Town Administrator Jamie Hellen (2nd from left) have been elected to serve as the next MMA President & Vice President, respectfully

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1748768089951404318

Note: Jamie is following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Jeff Nutting. Jeff was elected President of MMA in 2009.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/01/better-way-less-expensive-way.html

 

"Team Franklin at the ⁦

@massmunicipal

⁩ Annual Conference. Day 1 in the books, Day 2 begins now! Our largest group ever at the conference!"

Team Franklin at the ⁦

@massmunicipal

⁩ Annual Conference

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1748691707858673736

Town of Franklin receives $23K grant for Recycling Program

via Mass Municipal Association (MMA): 

"On Sept. 28, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced the award of $5.2 million in grants to 283 municipalities and regional solid waste districts for recycling, composting, and waste reduction programs.

Gov. Maura Healey said the grants, from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Sustainable Materials Recovery Program “help further our collective efforts to meet our aggressive goal of 90% waste reduction by 2050, while also boosting local economies by investing in the waste reduction industry.”

The SMRP’s Recycling Dividends Program is distributing $3.65 million to 278 municipalities and regional districts to improve community recycling efforts."

The Town of Franklin Recycling Dividends Program received a grant from the State of $ 23,400.00. 

Continue reading the MMA article

https://www.mma.org/massdep-awards-5-2m-to-support-recycling-composting-and-waste-reduction/

Find the full listing of grant awards ->

https://www.mass.gov/doc/list-of-2023-municipalregional-grant-awards-september-2023/download

Town of Franklin receives $23K grant for Recycling Program

MA House & Senate send FY 2024 tax relief bill to Gov Healey

"The House and Senate have passed a compromise tax relief bill that would provide $561 million in tax breaks and credits this year, with the value growing to approximately $1 billion once the law is fully implemented in 2027.

The House overwhelmingly approved the bill on Sept. 27, and the Senate did the same on Sept. 28. The governor, who has 10 days to review and sign the bill, has indicated her strong support.

Provisions that would affect municipalities include property tax relief and housing incentives. The bill would:

• Increase the maximum annual property tax deduction for seniors who provide volunteer services to a municipality from $1,500 to $2,000

• Increase the maximum available “senior circuit breaker” property tax credit from $750 per year to $1,500 per year, prior to adjusting for inflation

• Create a local-option property tax exemption for residential properties that are rented to households earning no more than 200% of area median income, and allow municipalities to determine the amount of the exemption and adopt ordinances and bylaws implementing these provisions

• Increase the cap on Housing Development Incentive Program tax credits from $10 million to $30 million annually and allow for the distribution of any portion of the annual cap on credits that were not authorized in previous years, or of any credits that were returned"

Continue reading the article online at MMA -> https://www.mma.org/house-senate-send-tax-relief-bill-to-governors-desk/ 

Boston Globe coverage (subscription maybe required) ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/28/metro/massachusetts-tax-relief-deal/ 

For the actual legislative language visit this page ->     https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4104

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4104

MA State budget signed, one of the line items cut is "Hey Sam"

"GOV. MAURA HEALEY on Wednesday signed into law her first state budget, setting a different tone than the Republican who held the corner office for the previous eight years.

She invited Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano to join her at the signing ceremony, signaling a united front among the top three Democrats on Beacon Hill. It was a departure from past practice under former governor Charlie Baker; Mariano called it a new precedent.

Overall, the $56 billion budget gives all three Democrats items they can crow about. Healey trumpeted a measure she initiated to cover “last-dollar funding” so students over age 25 can attend community college for free. She also highlighted a big boost in funding (1 percent of the state budget) for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the largest increase ever in K-12 school funding, and a 48 percent increase in funds for the state’s emergency shelter program."

Continue reading the article online -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/with-democrats-united-healey-signs-56b-budget/ 

The Mass Municipal Assoc also provides coverage ->  https://www.mma.org/gov-healey-signs-fy24-state-budget/

Boston Globe provides coverage of the signing ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/09/metro/gov-maura-healey-state-budget/

Via Senator Rausch wasn't pleased with one of the line items cut

"I am pleased that @MassGovernor signed much of the FY24 budget today, but concerned about several significant cuts, incl. complete elimination of funding for Hey Sam, a 100%-successful youth mental health text line, amid an ongoing #mentalhealth crisis. My full statement"

Senator Rausch statement on "Hey Sam"

Healey-Driscoll administration releases "$14 Billion Capital Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-2028"

"The Healey-Driscoll administration announced today (06/22/23)  a new five-year, $14 billion capital investment plan that includes more than $1.5 billion in housing-related spending and a new program to incentivize the creation of more affordable housing.

The administration’s plan, covering fiscal years 2024 through 2028, includes $97 million a year for the new HousingWorks program, which aims to encourage the production of 200 to 300 units of affordable housing each year. In addition, the spending plan also includes $90 million annually for housing acquisition, development and rehabilitation, and $120 million a year to preserve the state’s more than 43,000 units of public housing.

Besides housing, the spending plan focuses on advancing climate and economic development goals, and administration officials said it will help preserve and modernize the state’s infrastructure, invest in cities and towns, and make government more effective."

Continue reading the article ->

https://www.mma.org/gov-healey-announces-capital-plan-affordable-housing-program/ 

The Governor's official press release ->

https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-and-lieutenant-governor-driscoll-release-14-billion-capital-investment-plan-for-fiscal-years-2024-2028

Healey-Driscoll administration releases "$14 Billion Capital Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-2028"

MA Senate releases their FY 2024 budget

May 9, 2023

Dear Members of the Massachusetts State Senate,

     For the fifth time as Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, I have the honor to present the Committee’s annual recommendations for the General Appropriations Act—the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 2024) Budget. 

     Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka for her ongoing friendship, sage counsel, steady leadership, and continued confidence in me to lead the Committee as we work together to move Massachusetts forward towards a more inclusive and resilient post-pandemic future. 

     I would like to also thank our partners in the House, Chair Aaron Michlewitz and his team in the House Committee on Ways and Means, and in the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz and his team in the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. Without their collaboration, cooperation and partnership throughout the budget development process, support for our residents, our communities, and our long-term economic health would not be possible. 

     Together, over these last four years, we have carefully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and its many challenges. Adapting to a new normal utilizing an approach rooted in collaboration with our partners across state government, we addressed urgent needs and protected our most vulnerable populations. We maintained stability, built up our reserves, and made meaningful investments to support an equitable recovery for our people. 

     It was an approach that worked. Today, our Rainy Day Fund is projected to close FY 2024 with a historic balance of $9 billion, and we have $1.7 billion in surplus resources available for future use. More recently, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) ratings agency upgraded our state’s bond rating, a recognition that our long-standing adherence to sound fiscal discipline and efforts to reinforce the Commonwealth’s economic foundation is paying dividends.

Continue reading the Message from the Chair - Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair, Senate Committee on Ways and Means online =>    https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget 

Mass Municipal Assoc covers the budget release ->  https://www.mma.org/senate-budget-committee-releases-fiscal-2024-proposal/

Common Wealth Magazine covers the budget release ->    https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/senate-budget-embraces-in-state-tuition-for-undocumented-students/

Senate President Karen Spilka and Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues. (Photo by Bruce Mohl)

MMA: "Newly enhanced BioMap available to support local conservation efforts"

"The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy have enhanced an online resource, known as BioMap, that identifies critical lands and waters throughout Massachusetts most in need of conservation.

For more than 20 years, BioMap has been an important tool for proactive and high-impact conservation by state agencies, land trusts, municipalities, non-government organizations, academics, and other partners.

BioMap identifies the most critical habitats for rare species and the diversity and abundance of plants and wildlife. These resilient and intact ecosystems and landscapes are essential for both nature and people in the face of climate change."

Continue reading the Article at the Mass Municipal Assoc page ->

https://www.mma.org/newly-enhanced-biomap-available-to-support-local-conservation-efforts/ 

Go directly to the updated BioMap and explore the interactive map and other resources provided  -> mass.gov/BioMap.

MMA: "Newly enhanced BioMap available to support local conservation efforts"

Bring on February, in this Talk Franklin we catch up on the MMA Conf, CDL training, & Town Council preview (audio)

FM #930 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 930 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge on Thursday, January 26, 2023.  

Topics for this session

Not only are we in 2023, but January is at an end

MMA annual meeting/conference

Key learnings, or take-aways

CDL inhouse training enabled by DPW

Labor market

Earlier this month the Town Council reviewed goals

The Town Administrator review, coming to Council for approval

EDC approved inclusionary zoning, coming to council soon (2/15/23?)

Council outlook for Feb 1 session, Tri-County building proposal

Community Preservation Committee public hearing Feb 7

Rescheduled for Jan 17 meeting

Close with citizen engagement call to action, application process coming soon

Davis Thayer, Police Station, Master Plan committee opportunities

Open Space & Recreation Plan update underway

The conversation runs about 40 minutes.

Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Citizen-Participation-on-the-Menu-for-2023---Davis-Thayer--Master-Planning-and-more-e1uaohs/a-a993o1g

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

Town Council agenda for 2/1/23

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_1_2023_town_council_agenda.pdf

Economic Development Meeting 1/25/23 (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/inclusionary-zoning-moved-to-town_0764800655.html 

Ad-hoc Town Administrator Review Meeting 1/25/23  (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/ad-hoc-town-administrator-review-cmte.html 

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

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

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!

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Bring on February, in this Talk Franklin we catch up on the MMA Conf, CDL training, & Town Council preview (audio)