FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Technology Information Services Department

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing. 

General Purpose

The mission of the Technology Information Services Department is to furnish secure, dependable, and consistent technology services and support to all Town and School District personnel and students within the Franklin Public School system. Furthermore, the department is dedicated to the maintenance and development of the foundational physical infrastructure, foreseeing future growth to enhance efficiencies and foster opportunities across computing and learning environments.

The Technology Information Services Department comprises 10 full-time and 2 part-time employees. As a Town/School "merged" department, we assume responsibility for supporting all technology initiatives and employees across both town and school departments, serving approximately 1,000+ end users and approximately 4,800 public school students. Despite the fact that, as a merged department, we support both town and school, the department's employee salaries are funded solely by the budget allocated to the Franklin Public School system.

Our team manages a diverse array of approximately 7,000 end-user computing devices, including Chromebooks, desktops, laptops, tablets, and cell phones and an array of peripheral devices connected to this equipment. These devices require access to a wide range of software and services. Our computing and network environment is built upon a private fiber optic wide area network (WAN), interconnecting 22 buildings throughout the town and providing access to over 100 file, application, and print servers.

Moreover, we ensure ubiquitous, enterprise-class wireless network access in all school and town buildings, facilitating seamless connectivity for our users.

Core Functions

● Provide, support and maintain a reliable, stable Information Technology environment.

● Provide, support and maintain a secure network infrastructure for data, internet access and email communications.

● Provide, support and maintain a secure and reliable remote learning and working environment.

● Provide the Town and Schools with proper support for our public facing websites.

● Provide secure and reliable backup of all user data.

● Work with the Facilities Department to create the proper physical environment to support ongoing and future technology initiatives.

● Make recommendations regarding changes and upgrades to existing technology.

● Increase efficiencies in all departments by working closely with department personnel to research and implement new technologies.

● Support and build data continuity between departments.

● Approve, negotiate and oversee the procurement process for all technology related purchases for the Town and School District.

● Adhere to state standards as related to technology.

● Ensure proper software licensing and compliance.

Staffing

All Technology Staff salaries are funded fully via the School Department (Account 300)

● One (1) Director of Technology

● One (1) Sr. Systems Administrator

● One (1) Sr. Network Administrator and Security Specialist

● One (1) Jr. Network Administrator/ Systems Administrator

● Five (5) Technology Support Technicians

● One (1) Database Administrator

● One (1) Part-Time Administrative Assistant

● One (1) Part-Time Inventory Specialist

 

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Implemented new, upgraded version of Patriot Systems AssessPro software to a cloud based system

● Capital initiatives funded in FY26

○ Replacement of 47 Town laptops

○ Replacement of 72 School laptops

● Security “penetration test” by EOTSS

● Developed comprehensive cybersecurity incident response plan

● Implement an electronic document management system for the HR department

● Implement upgraded version of our Employee Access portal

● Began soft roll-out of Tyler Content Management system

● Began encouraging departments to take advantage of AI within Google Workspace (Gemini)

● Extend warranty and support for the Town/School server stack/virtual env. until 2027

$100K

● Wireless Access Point 3 year license replacement $115,000

● Replace/upgrade end-of-life PA and bell system at Franklin High School

● Position the town and school district to take advantage of the rapidly changing world of AI. Staying ahead of this relatively recent development is imperative to the ongoing function of the town and schools on many levels from both a security standpoint as well as leveraging the potential benefits.

● Implement an Applicant tracking / hiring / onboarding system for the HR department.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Hardware Maint. Services - Decrease of $21,637

● Other IT Service Contracts - Increase of $10,421

● Consulting Services - Decrease of $20,000

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

● Security is an ongoing challenge for several reasons. The first challenge is acquiring talented, experienced candidates for the salaries we can support within the town/school budget. In lieu of hiring a full time specialist, we are investigating and piloting a “Virtual CISO” consultant (Chief Information Security Officer). This person will work with existing Technology Department personnel to implement a fully developed disaster recovery plan and incident response plan.

● Staffing continues to be an issue in the technology sector. Finding viable candidates requires providing competitive wages and this is where we struggle the most; especially in the more highly skilled positions requiring advanced degrees or experience.

● Technology replacement. While we were able to make a sizable dent in this area with our generous capital funding, the replacement of aging equipment is an ongoing challenge. Some estimates of our needs in the next few years are listed here:

○ FY27

■ Nearly 300 laptops for K-8 teachers purchased in 2020 are now 5+ years old. This happens every 3-4 years (roughly $360,000)

■ Annual replacement of approximately 400 Chromebooks for our students - $100,000

○ FY28

■ Replace Virtual Environment or explore cloud alternatives -

$600K-$800K

■ Annual replacement of approximately 400 Chromebooks for our students - $100,000

■ 110 laptops for our FHS teachers (laptops purchased in 2023) This happens every 3-4 years $120,000

○ FY29

■ Annual replacement of approximately 400 Chromebooks for our students - $100,000

■ Replace Wireless Access Points for Town and School est. $600,000

● Of course this is not an all-inclusive list and many unanticipated lower cost items will reveal themselves as the years progress ($10,000-$30,000 range) In order to meet these challenges into the future, I recommend the implementation of a Technology stabilization fund similar to the funding created for the fire truck replacement

● As is common knowledge, underfunding aging equipment replacement is a ticking time bomb and will ultimately result in increased costs, lower productivity, employee frustration and complaints.

 

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sztuktkXVK831vEnOS4mq2XeAai5FXI2/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The complete set of FY 2027 budget information can be found https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577 

Restaurants Invited to Participate in the Franklin Restaurant Week 2026 (May 31 - June 6)

Kick Off to Summer with the Flavors of Franklin! Franklin Restaurant Week 2026 (May 31 - June 6) — Restaurants Invited to Participate The Town of Franklin is gearing up for its inaugural Restaurant Week, taking place May 31 – June 6, 2026, and local restaurants are invited to join the celebration. Restaurant Week is a chance to spotlight Franklin’s incredible dining scene while encouraging residents and visitors to explore local restaurants, try something new, and support the businesses that make our community special. Participating restaurants can take part in whatever way works best for them.

Some ideas include offering:

• A prix fixe menu or featured dish
• A “Kickoff to Summer” drink special
• A raffle or giveaway for diners
• A limited-time promotion or incentive
• Kids Eat Free

The week will help build excitement leading up to Franklin’s third annual PorchFest on June 6, while also connecting to a broader tourism effort surrounding the upcoming international soccer matches at Gillette Stadium. By encouraging residents and visitors to dine locally and explore the community, this event highlights Franklin as a welcoming and vibrant place to visit. Interested in participating? Fill out the Google form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNCW_QzwxNXFwdqZ6dRWCc8H8KVCLfAnksXAlVrob47eg4jA/viewform? Restaurant sign up: Franklin Restaurant Week Sign Up

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact: Liz Kalaijian, Communications Director: ekalaijian@franklinma.gov Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy: cshea@franklinma.gov

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Human Resources section

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing. 

General Purpose

We are partners in building the Town of Franklin by aligning the skills and assignments of our employees with Town initiatives, values, strategies and the needs of all our citizens. We serve as a source of information and expertise that provides quality customer service for employees and citizens and their ever changing needs. We help make Franklin a great place to work and live - professionally and personally.

Core Functions

● Recruitment and Staffing

○ Work with departments to create job descriptions and job postings

○ Attract, screen, and hire qualified candidates for open positions

○ Onboarding / Offboarding employees

● Employee Relations

○ Advises leadership on workplace policies, disciplinary actions, performance management, and compliance with municipal and state employment laws

○ Investigates employee complaints and concerns, resolving conflicts fairly and effectively while maintaining confidentiality

● Labor Relations

○ Work closely with the Town Administrator and applicable Department Heads to negotiate and maintain collective bargaining agreements for seven (7) municipal unions

○ Advise leadership on employee relations issues, including grievance resolution, disciplinary actions and conflict mitigation

○ Serve as liaison between management and unions, facilitating communication and fostering positive workplace relations

● Compensation and Benefits

○ Oversees benefits for all Town and School active employees and retirees

○ Manage open enrollment processes for health, dental, and other employee benefits, ensuring all staff are properly enrolled and informed of plan options

○ Provide informal benefit counseling to employees and retirees, answering questions about coverage, eligibility, and claims procedures

○ Maintain accurate benefits records and coordinates with carriers to resolve enrollment errors, billing discrepancies, and coverage changes

○ Analyze benefits utilization and costs, recommending program enhancements to optimize employee satisfaction and budget efficiency

○ Serve as liaisons with the Norfolk County Retirement System, guiding employees through retirement planning, benefits enrollment, and pension eligibility processes

○ Conduct salary benchmarking and non-union compensation planning

● Safety

○ Support and coordinate health and safety programs with other departments, helping ensure compliance with the Department of Labor Standards (DLS) regulations and municipal policies

○ Encourage and support employee training efforts and foster a safe work environment

○ The HR Director serves as the co-chair of the Town’s Safety Committee.

● HR Information Systems (HRIS) and Records Management

○ Maintain employee records and data securely

○ Streamline HR processes through automation across departments

○ Leverage HR technology for reporting and analytics

 

Staffing

● One (1) Director

● One (1) Deputy Director

● One (1) Benefits Coordinator

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

The Human Resources Department will continue to build upon progress made in FY25 and FY26, with a focus on maintaining core services while advancing key operational improvements in FY27.

Recruitment and Workforce Support

The department remains actively involved in recruitment across all departments, supporting hiring processes, onboarding and workforce planning efforts. Recruitment activity continues to require significant staff time; particularly in a competitive labor market

Workload and Service Demand / Administrative Support Capacity

The Human Resources Department continues to experience high demand across all service areas, including recruitment, employee relations, compliance and benefits administration.

While the department remains committed to providing high-quality service, current staffing levels limit the ability to expand initiative or significantly reduce processing times.

As identified in FY26, the absence of an administrative support position continued to impact the department’s ability to efficiently manage daily operations, including front-line customer service, document processing, and coordination of routine tasks.

We have been lucky to have several wonderful Senior and Veterans Tax Program Workers help out in our office. They have been instrumental in helping us in an administrative capacity.

Labor Relations

The Human Resources Department continues to support the administration and implementation of collective bargaining agreements negotiated for FY 26-28. Ongoing coordination with the Town Administrator, Department Heads and Comptroller’s Office and union representatives will be required to ensure consistent interpretation and application of contract provisions.

 

Benefits Administration & Customer Service

Following the transition to a new Benefits Coordinator in FY24, the department has continued to provide robust customer service and communications; including ongoing employee outreach and support. The work completed during the FY26 active enrollment/ dependent audit has strengthened the integrity of the Town’s health insurance program and will continue to inform benefits administration practice in FY27.

The Town is in the process of a transition to the Group Insurance Commission in FY27, enhancing the stability and long-term sustainability of employee benefits.

The department administers medical and personal leaves, injuries on duty, and workers’ compensation claims

Unemployment Administration

Unemployment administration requires careful oversight to ensure compliance and to mitigate financial impact to the Town. Each claim involves documentation review, separation analysis, and, when necessary, participation in hearings or appeals. These activities can be time-intensive and often require coordination across multiple departments.

In FY27; the department continues to manage these responsibilities organization-wide while working to ensure consistency in documentation and separation practices across all departments. While claim volume and complexity fluctuate, unemployment administration remains an ongoing operational responsibility that requires dedicated staff time and attention and unemployment costs are directly tied to employment activity and separation outcomes and are not discretionary in nature. As such, the department is focused on appropriate administration and mitigation of financial impact through consistent documentation and process management.

Personnel Records Modernization

The Department will continue its work in digitizing personnel files and transition to electronic records through the Tyler - Content Manager (TCM) system. This process has been supported by the Technology Department and in partnership with Franklin Public Schools. This effort remains a significant step toward improving accessibility, audit readiness and long term records management. While progress has been made; this is an ongoing project that will continue into FY27 as additional files are scanned and processes refined.

 

Technology Investments & Process Improvements

Consistent with FY26 goals, the department will continue to work with the Technology Department to identify opportunities to improve efficiency through system enhancements.

The Department continues to rely on systems that require significant manual effort. While progress has been made through the initial implementation of TCM, additional technology solutions such as applicant tracking, electronic onboarding, and digital forms - would improve efficiency and reduce administrative budget. These investments remain dependent on the Town’s broader financial outlook.

Continued reliance on manual processes and system limitations impacts efficiency and service delivery. In the interim; the department will focus on maximizing the existing system and identify incremental improvement to reduce manual processes across all departments.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The FY27 Human Resources budget reflects a continued commitment to supporting the Town’s workforce while navigating operational constraints. The department's focus remains on balancing increasing service demands with limited staffing resources, while advancing key initiatives that strengthen recruitment, retention and employee experience across the organization.

Strategic investments in staffing, technology and employee development will position the organization to better recruit, retain and support employees; ultimately strengthening the service delivery to the community. Future progress in modernization and service delivery will depend on the town’s ability to address staffing and technology needs in upcoming fiscal years. With increasing service demands and limited administrative capacity, the department will prioritize process improvements and system optimization.

The main focus this fiscal year will be transitioning employee health insurance and taking on the school related benefits. As we have hoped for many years, we hope to modernize the employee onboarding system and invest in greater cloud technology for personnel records. We will also be integral to onboarding and developing the Munis Administrator if approved.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PiEcUilrXFDhGwy-O1kwtg4nhgldmOvw/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Legal Services section

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget Narrative, each department's story is worth sharing. 

General Purpose

The Legal Department is responsible for providing independent legal advice and for participating in the drafting and reviewing of all legal instruments.

Core Functions

● The Town Attorney represents the Town on all legal matters, including litigation, contracts, drafting of Town bylaws, resolutions and zoning.

● The Town also engages special counsel for labor and personnel matters, as well as other specialties, as needed, such as solar or certain land use cases involving lawsuits and/or appeals.

● To provide exemplary customer service and legal advice to the Franklin Town Council, Town Administration and Town staff.

Staffing

● One (1) Part-Time Town Attorney.

 

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Excluding the 2.5% COLA, this is a level-funded budget.

● In the coming years, succession planning will be required to replace Attorney Cerel, which will be a very expensive and costly endeavor.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cr6_pCoMDpAQpg-3Pisqzh3fAYEz9HyJ/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Treasurer-Collector section

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing. 

General Purpose

The office of the Treasurer/Collector is responsible for the receipt, investment and disbursement of all Town funds. The goal is to achieve these responsibilities while providing the highest level of customer service and support to all of the Town's taxpayers, employees, retirees, and vendors, as well as satisfy the legal requirements set forth in Massachusetts General Laws and the Town Code.

Since May of 2022 the Town has maintained the AAA bond rating awarded by S&P Global Ratings. AAA credit rating signifies a high level of creditworthiness, demonstrating a strong capacity to meet financial commitments and a very low risk of default.

Core Functions

● Accept Real Estate and Personal Property tax commitments from the Assessors. Bills are printed and mailed on a quarterly basis to all Franklin property owners (approx. 44,000 per year).

● Accept Motor Vehicle Excise tax commitments from the Assessors. Bills are printed and mailed yearly to owners (approx. 35,000 per year).

● Accept Water, Sewer, Trash and Stormwater commitments from the Department of Public Works. Utility bills are printed and mailed on a quarterly basis to customers (approx. 40,000 per year).

● Accept, record and deposit in person and drive-thru tax payments, process payments, answer telephone and email inquiries from taxpayers, mortgage companies and law firms as well as accept monies turned over from all Town Departments; all while providing the highest level of customer service in a professional and ethical manner.

● Research and prepare Municipal Lien Certificates that are requested in person, online or through the U.S. Mail.

● Use services provided by our Deputy Tax Collector, Kelley & Ryan Associates, to collect delinquent Motor Vehicle Excise, Real Estate and Personal Property taxes.

● Receive and account for all State and Federal disbursements.

● Maintain and reconcile bank accounts on a monthly basis.

● Invest the town’s monies in secure funds with the highest possible rate of return and retain adequate liquidity.

● Account for and fund bi-weekly payroll. Quarterly reporting of payroll taxes to DOR and IRS.

● Account for, fund and prepare weekly vendor checks for distribution.

● Responsible for the preparation of authorized borrowing and issuance of timely debt payments. Prepare and submit Continuing Disclosure Statement to Fiscal Advisors, Bond Council and Auditors.

● Manage Tax Title accounts from time of Tax Taking to Redemption or Foreclosure. Work closely with Town’s Tax Title Law firm, Hill Law.

● Yearly management of resolving checks not yet cleared according to Massachusetts General Law.

Staffing

● One (1) Treasurer/Collector

● One (1) Deputy Treasurer/Collector

● Three (3) Collection Specialists

● One (1) part-time Passport Acceptance Agent

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● The Treasurer/Collector’s Office will continue to take advantage of professional development opportunities.

● Continue to streamline in-house procedures by utilizing available technology as demonstrated in FY2026 by offering customers the option of auto-payment for Real Estate, Personal Property and Utility bills.

● Since the successful use of our Deputy Tax Collector’s services beginning in January 2025 for collection of delinquent Real Estate bills, we expanded the process for collection of outstanding Personal Property bills.

● Continue to invest the town’s monies in secure funds with the highest possible rate of return yet retain adequate liquidity.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Contractual and Professional Services: These lines have increased due to higher costs for billing and printing services, driven by inflation.

● Added expense line for Passport Acceptance Office due to high demands.

● Other Line Items: All other items remain level-funded.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The Treasurer/Collector’s FY2027 budget should be approved as the services provided by our office are essential to the Town's revenue. To maintain consistent cash flow, it is critical that we adequately fund the costs associated with printing, mailing, and distributing all tax bills.

Additionally, an expense line has been added to accommodate the high demand for passport and passport photo appointments. This requires an increase in the supplies necessary to produce passport photos.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rOTJ5HB0lLaqQa47y2vMONEJDt2KuTRB/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Assessing Department

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget Narrative, each department's story is worth sharing. 

General Purpose

As the foundation department to raise $107+ million for the annual Town operating expenses, the primary mission of the Board of Assessors and its professional and administrative staff is to prepare assessment roles for the taxation of real and personal property and motor vehicle excise. In order to assure that the tax levy is applied fairly and equitably at full and fair cash value, the inventory of all taxable property must be annually updated. Then through a market analysis, each parcel and account is appraised and classified according to use in order to determine the valuations, establish the tax rate and apply the appropriate tax to each account.

Core Functions

● In accordance with MGL, the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue oversees all the regulation requirements of local assessment, and develops guidelines for the accomplishment of those requirements. Thus, all assessing functions are statutory and are subject to certification by the Commissioner or assigned agent of the DOR.

● Annually maintain assessors’ maps, plans, property transfers and valuation records.

● Complete annual updates to the inventory of real and personal property.

● Conduct research on the real estate market; sales ratio studies and investment property income and expense analysis.

● Value and classify all real and personal property each year according to the optimum schedule based on our market analysis subject to approval by the MA DOR.

● Identify “New Growth” and report it to the DOR for certification, along with valuation and tax rate reports for their approval. Finalize the tax rate.

● Process all real and personal property tax commitments, abatements and exemptions.

● Process betterments, liens and apportionments.

● Generate motor vehicle excise tax commitments and process abatements of the same as required by Massachusetts General Law.

● Prepare and certify lists of abutters for legal notices for Hearings by Town Council, Conservation, Planning and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

● Maintain and provide Public Records in accordance with Massachusetts General Law.

Staffing

● One (1) Director of Assessing

● Three (3) Appraisers

● One (1) Assessment Administrator*

● Three (3) Part-Time Volunteer elected Assessors - Board of Assessors

*Proposed New Position for FY27

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Successful timely tax rate setting; finalized the tax rate at $11.42 per thousand dollars.

● Made location-based data readily available for Town Staff and the Public, continue to advocate use of the unique Parcel ID’s in addition to the Town’s MAT (Master Address Table) of accepted addresses. Encourage Town Staff to use this unique Parcel Identifier in order to work with GIS to request datalinks in AxisGIS to enhance this “one-stop shopping” Central Database, improving research and decision-making for all Town Staff as well as benefiting the public at large.

● Upon use of a new system/application or increased use of an existing application, establish uniform standards of database building and ongoing updating. Examples:

○ 2002 - standards established for Patriot Real Estate administration & appraisal

○ 2003 - standards established for new Maps/GIS (aerials, deed & plan research)

○ 2006 - standards established for MUNIS Excise, Real & Personal Property Taxes

○ 2016 - standards established for Records Archives, organization & retention

○ 2026 - converted CAMA (computer assisted mass appraisal) system to the newest Patriot operating system known as Catalis AP5

● FY27 is a “Revaluation Year”. While in each Interim Year we establish new Real and Personal Property valuations applying the appraisal industry and DOR standards, a Revaluation Year involves more in depth reviews of the data including on site. This more intense year began for us in January 2026 with confidential requests per MGL for data from certain real and personal property owners. For FY27, town wide reviews, recollections and collection of new Personal Property accounts have already been performed and valuations as of January 1, 2026 will be set by this fiscal year end. Considerable work especially in the area of real estate must be accomplished over the next several months to accomplish final valuations, a public disclosure period and a timely tax rate.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● When the Department’s Administrative Assistant retired in 2019, we invested in replacing that position with a full-time Appraiser to comply with a more aggressive inspection schedule. However, with the Town population and property growth, it is evident that in order to fully benefit from the talents and dedication of our Appraisal staff, we must have one full time Administrative Assistant. This person will manage Personal Exemptions (qualifying seniors, veterans and blind property owners), Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Abatements, and inquiries from property owners and their agents for real estate and personal property data and taxes. Without funding this critical position, the professional appraisal staff can neither sufficiently enhance revenues nor improve the fairness and equity of taxes. The addition of an Assessment Administrator should make it feasible to issue a timely Actual Tax Bill by December 31st for FY27.

● Increase of $4,733 for software licensing and support.

● Decrease of $423 in appraisals

● Decrease of $25,400 in Personal Property collection and valuation

● Increase of $400 for supplies

● Increase of $400 for continuing professional education

● Increase of $200 for professional dues

 

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

In order to accomplish all our requirements under Massachusetts General Law, our budget must be approved as presented. We have used restraint and have been able to reduce our overall expenses from FY26 to FY27. However, while we would have been in a better position had we been able to hire an Assessment Administrator last July as we prepared for our FY27 Revaluation, it is now critical that we have that support in order for the Appraisers to resume the level of work they were hired and required to do. As previously stated, the Town has grown considerably over the past half century and so has the amount of traffic. This and the growth of property maintenance and desired renovations especially in the 25 to 50 year old properties added to the time required to do our work. The Assessing Department has continuously developed work procedural efficiencies and implemented new tools over the past 25 years. For the sake of the $107+ million we raise annually, please approve this budget request.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1znOZ-cq2RIH9W0zDxFTpmMP5ywu9B0c6/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Finance Department

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget Narrative, each department's story is worth sharing. 

General Purpose

The Finance Department is responsible for safeguarding the financial assets of the Town through the use of sound professional accounting practices and internal controls. It is the department's duty to ensure that the financial integrity of the Town is preserved and protected, as well as to provide the Town’s management with accurate and timely financial information, and to provide controllership and audit functions for the Town and its departments.

Core Functions

● Financial Oversight

○ Provides financial oversight for all Town transactions (receipts, expenditures, abatements, commitments), to include all municipal and school departments. The Finance Department is also responsible for maintaining the fixed asset and infrastructure for the Town’s General and Enterprise funds.

● Interdepartmental Structure

○ Under the umbrella of municipal finance, the Finance Department works in conjunction with the Treasurer/ Collector Department, the Assessors Department, the Procurement Department, Payroll, and Accounts Payable.

● Financial Analysis and Reporting

○ Provide timely, accurate, and informative reporting to departments, decision makers, and the general public.

● Reconciliation of Funds

○ Assists in the preparation of the Town’s financial forecast, while maintaining the general ledger and completing all statutory requirements. Frequent reconciliations include the following funds:

■ General Fund

■ Capital Funds

■ Special Revenue Funds

■ Trust & Agency Funds

■ Debt and Interest Funds

■ Fixed Asset Funds

● Budget Preparation

○ Develops and assists in the annual presentation of the Town’s budget. The Finance Department compiles the final budget books for the Finance Committee, Town Council, and financial officials.

● Accounts Payable

○ Processes all payments for all Town invoices.

○ Reconciles all payroll withholdings to the monthly health, life, dental, and other insurance invoices

● Payroll

○ Oversees payroll for all Town and School employees, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of wages, stipends, tax withholdings, and employee benefits. Responsibilities include maintaining compliance with applicable laws and school/town collective bargaining agreements, processing personnel and compensation changes, coordinating with Human Resources and departments, and managing payroll reporting and system integrity.

● Purchasing

○ Has broad oversight over the procurement functions. The Procurement Office is responsible for the procurement of all goods and services. Operates under the applicable sections of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapters 41, 30, 149, 7C, and 30B.

● Audit

○ Coordinates the Town’s annual audit as required by Massachusetts General Law. Provides an audit firm with a comprehensive balance sheet and financial statements. Assists the Town Administrator in the development of the Management Discussion and Analysis sections of the audit as required under Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 34.

 

Staffing

● One (1) Chief Financial Officer

● One (1) Deputy Chief Financial Officer/Budget Director

● One (1) Comptroller

● One (1) Munis Administrator*

● Three (3) Payroll Administrators

● One (1) Administrative Assistant

*Proposed New Position for FY27

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Reconcile all accounts receivable, cash, and trusts with the Treasurer-Collector.

● Constant review of revenue streams and expenditure patterns to proactively identify and address potential budget variances.

● Timely submittal of balance sheet, Free Cash certification, Schedule A, and Tax Recap.

● Implemented enhanced budget monitoring tools to ensure departmental spending aligns with approved budgets.

● Establish a 5 year fiscal forecast to anticipate revenue and expenditure trends.

● Ensured budget narratives clearly explain financial decisions, debt service trends and operational priorities to foster community understanding.

● Developed regular financial reporting for the Town Administrator and Finance Committee improving transparency and decision-making.

● Successful completion of the FY24 audit with no management letter or significant recommendations for improvement due to high performance. FY25 Audit is expected to be completed and presented to the Town Council on May 13, 2026.

● Maintained the Town’s AAA bond rating, which saves Franklin taxpayer’s money through borrowing at lower interest rates.

● Developed internal controls and procedures manual for procurement and enhanced online procurement options.

● Continue to implement the provisions of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) as approved by a significant majority of Town Voters.

● Provided staff with training on updated accounting standards, regulatory compliance, and financial systems.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Eliminated Special Assistant position

○ The Special Assistant position is being eliminated. This position was temporary and primarily supported the transition following the departure of the former Finance Director. The former Finance Director was working 5 to 7 hours per week in this capacity, providing guidance and continuity during the transition period. With the transition complete and the Finance Department fully staffed, this role is no longer necessary.

● Added Munis Administrator position.

● Decreased Financial Services expenses in order to support Munis Admin.

● Increase Accounting & Auditing Services.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

Support for the creation and hiring of a Munis Administrator position, to be included under the Finance Department Budget but serves both the Town and School efficiencies. .

● Strengthen internal controls and system security

● Improve efficiency and reduce errors in financial and HR processes

● Provide consistent support and training for users

● Ensure proper system configuration and support future upgrades

The Finance Department’s FY27 requested budget is necessary to ensure the continued delivery of critical financial services that support the Town’s fiscal stability, transparency, and day-to-day operations. The department is responsible for financial oversight, budgeting, payroll, accounts payable, debt management, and compliance with state reporting requirements, all of which directly impact the Town’s ability to operate efficiently and responsibly manage taxpayer resources. Reductions to the Finance Department’s budget would limit staffing capacity and operational support needed to process payments, maintain financial controls, and meet reporting deadlines, which could result in delayed vendor payments, slower service to residents and departments, and increased risk to the Town’s financial management and accountability. Maintaining the requested funding ensures the Town can continue to provide reliable financial administration and protect the community’s financial integrity.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hT8-b3w9TKFWWLDcESnO4c96VNogQLnE/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Town Administrator section

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing. 

Town Administrator

General Purpose

The Town Administrator is the chief executive officer of the Town, whose primary responsibility is to administer the policies and programs approved by the Franklin Town Council while ensuring that the provisions of the Town Charter are upheld in all areas of town management.

It is the responsibility of the Town Administrator to annually submit a balanced budget, capital improvement program, five year financial forecast, and other reports to the Town Council, per the Town Charter. This includes revenue projections, analyzing and administering use of reserves for capital acquisitions and projects, and working closely with the Franklin Public School Administration to coordinate on strategic initiatives and resources and maintain a strong partnership.

The Town Administrator is also responsible for negotiating and managing all collective bargaining agreements with employee organizations representing Town employees, and participating in the deliberations of the School Committee and School Administration in collective bargaining pertaining to school employees.

Read a general summary of the Town Administrator’s responsibilities on the website.

 

Core Functions

What does the Town Administrator do? For a partial list, read this:

● Town Administration works with the Town Council to improve the quality of life of the residents of Franklin.

● The Town Administrator is diligent in balancing the budget, keeping an eye on the Town’s future needs and maintaining its current assets.

● The Town Administrator is responsible for the management of all municipal departments and employees, under the jurisdiction of the Town Council.

● The Town Administrator, along with the administrative staff, develops all Town Council agendas and ensures that all necessary legislation is being voted on in a timely manner.

● The Town Administrator, along with the Human Resources (HR) Director, works on union negotiations with all municipal bargaining units. The TA also has a seat and vote on the teachers collective bargaining agreement.

● The Town Administrator also works closely with the Town’s local legislative delegation to advocate for legislation and earmarks that would benefit the Town of Franklin and its residents.

● In addition to working with all departments under the jurisdiction of the Town Council, Town Administration is tasked with drafting bylaws and resolutions relative to public policy, implementing economic development measures, collaborating with the Town’s internal and external partners on special projects, grants administration, licensing and permitting, management of boards & committees, and administering insurance policies and claims.

● The Operations Manager serves as the Licensing Administrator for all permits and licenses issued by Town Administration, manages public records request responses, Town boards and committees, insurance claims and policy renewals, co-chairs the Safety Committee, administers the Town website, assists the Town Administrator in carrying out goals and projects established by the Council, and supervises

day-to-day office operations.

Staffing

● One (1) Town Administrator

● One (1) Deputy Town Administrator*

● One (1) Operations Manager

● One (1) Director of Communications and Civic Engagement

● One (1) Part-Time Administrative Assistant

● One (1) Part-Time Secretary (to take minutes)

* Proposed restored Position for FY27

 

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Town Administration, working with the Finance Department, will continue working to preserve the Town’s AAA bond rating, spotless financial audits and solid financial acumen.

● In 2028, Franklin will celebrate the Town’s 250th Anniversary! In order to plan for this marked celebration, the Town has formed an official celebration committee under Massachusetts General Law and initiated the planning process.

● With the savings of the mid-year departure of the FY26 budgeted Deputy Town Administrator, the Town Administration Department added and filled a full-time Communications Specialist and a part-time Administrative Assistant.

● Town Council and Town Administrator goals are jointly agreed to and located here.

● For accomplishments, please see the Town Council & Town Administration goals archive here for the past lists of goals and accomplishments.

● A main goal for the year is integrating and onboarding the Director Communications and Civic Engagement and Administrative Assistant who were just hired in February 2026.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● The Town Administration department is requesting the position of a full-time Deputy Town Administrator with a budgeted annual salary of $190,000. Staff are currently compiling data and will share the market when we have a final list.

● Otherwise, this is a level funded budget.

● The Administrator’s Office Personnel and Expense budgets have been cut in FY24 and FY25.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qrwiPOoze_41hX3WnGuYKFvUMGEiI0bh/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

Franklin to Launch First-Ever Restaurant Week (May 31 - June 6, 2026) for Franklin, MA

Kick Off Summer with the Flavors of Franklin!

More information:
 Franklin Restaurant Week 2026 Webpage

The Town of Franklin is excited to launch its inaugural Restaurant Week, taking place May 31 – June 6, 2026, and invites local restaurants to join the celebration.

This weeklong event will showcase Franklin's dining scene and encourage residents and visitors to support local businesses. Restaurants can participate in a way that works best for them—whether through a special menu, promotion, or limited-time offer.

Learn More & Get Involved

More information: Franklin Restaurant Week 2026 Webpage

Restaurants Wanted! 

Fill out the form to participate.
Restaurant Sign Up: Restaurant Week Sign Up

For questions, contact:
Liz Kalaijian: ekalaijian@franklinma.gov
Cory Shea: cshea@franklinma.gov