Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 5, 2021

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

May 5, 2021

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers, 355 East Central Street
7:00 PM 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29.  This meeting may be recorded by others. 
b. Chair to identify Council Members participating remotely

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

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Brutus Cantoreggi, Public Works Director - American Public Works Association, Public Works Director of the Year Award

5. APPOINTMENTS
None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
Bylaw Amendment 21-868: Chapter 185, Zoning Article V, Special Regulations

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
La Cantina Winery/La Cantina Brewery, Change of Category on their Farmer Series Pouring Permit from Wines to Wine and Malt Beverages, 355 Union Street, Franklin, MA 02038

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Melanson & Heath - FY20 Audit 
b. Franklin TV - Pete Fasciano 
c. Anne Marie Tracey - Town Communications and Civic Engagement Update

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 21-868: Chapter 185, Zoning Article V, Special Regulations - Second Reading (Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 21-868 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-24: Gift Acceptance - DPW Highway & Grounds Division, Sand Sweeper (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-24 - Majority Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-25: Ambulance Refund Acceptance - Fire Department (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-25 - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-26: Gift Acceptance - Historical Commission, $100 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-26 - Majority Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-27: Gift Acceptance - Police Department, $300 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-27 - Majority Vote) 

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
a. COVID-19
b. FY22 Budget Update - FY22 Town Administrator Budget Materials

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled

ADJOURN

Note:  Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Meeting agenda (PDF version)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/5-5-21_town_council_agenda_packet.pdf

Town Council agenda web page with links to all docs

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/may-5-town-council-agenda

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 5, 2021

Town Council - Recap of March 20 - great reading in the Auditor's Report

Two take aways for me from the Town Council meeting held, Wednesday, March 20 were 

(1) the breadth of offerings by the Recreation Dept and how such a great value that is to the residents of Franklin 
and  
(2) the depth of information in one place for the finances of Franklin for FY 2018.

Recreation
The presentation document shared by Ryan Jette at the Council meeting is shown here. Page by page, the number of program offerings, the total involvement of the community, the minimum cost to the community (all funded by the fees for each program). 

If you are not taking advantage of one or more of the Recreation Dept programs, what are you looking for? Seriously, raise the question, they have shown to be expanding to meet the needs over the years, it may very well be something to happen.

Franklin Recreation Dept - Update 3/20/19 from Franklin Matters

https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-recreation-dept-update-32019

Financial Audit Report

• An audit report can be dry reading. 

First and foremost, Franklin has a good report; there are no issues, the auditors found that Franklin's processing and accounting is all in good order. We are one of the 20% of MA communities to get such a clean report. We do have a lot of good folks working for the Town that make this happen and be thankful for.

• An audit report does contain lots of great information.

In rounded numbers, $74M of the $144M revenue the Town sees comes from property taxes. $6M from excise taxes. $8M for charges for services provided. $48M from grants and contributions. The bulk of the 48M is state funding. Half of our overall revenue comes from property taxes. We could not raise sufficient funding from either the excise taxes or services we provide (even if we could try).  See pages 6, 7 and 8 for these numbers.

The unassigned fund balance on Page 9 amounts to 9.8% and is a good number to have. This is money that Franklin has in its 'savings' account, that is set aside for special purposes. $1.5M of that was used to balance the FY 2019 budget.

Page 10 highlights the general fund spending.

Page 11 shows our overall Capital Asset position. How much is all the land and buildings Franklin owns really worth?

Page 11 and 12 also provide a history of the Stabilization fund balances since the 1990's. What have we done with the money? The key answers are provided there, year by year.

In among the "Notes to the Financial Statements" which begins on Page 26, the definition of a capital asset and the depreciation schedule is found on pages 29-30. 

In addition:

• The Norfolk County Retirement System is covered beginning on page 44
• The Mass Teachers Retirement System is covered beginning on page 49
• Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) is covered beginning page 52

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14FpwU6WMmIZjNEqda6lBRnOXOhArjGZe/view?usp=sharing





My notes reported live during the meeting can be found

• Live reporting: to Closing
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-to-closing.html
• Live Reporting: Legislation for action
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-legislation-for-action_20.html
• Live reporting: Recreation Dept Update
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-recreation-dept-update.html
• Live Reporting: Town Council - March 20, 2019
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-town-council-march-20.html

Recreation Director Ryan Jette presenting to the Town Council

Live Reporting: Town Council - March 20, 2019

Present: Hamblen, Casey, Dellorco, Kelly, Padula, Earls
Absent: Mercer, Pellegri

Agenda Item	Summary
Town Council Meeting Agenda	Meeting of March 20, 2019
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS	a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
2. CITIZENS COMMENTS	a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda.  The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	None
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	None
5. APPOINTMENTS	None
6. HEARINGS	None
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	None

Citizen comments - 

Alan Earls

Charles River Meadowlands Initiative - better access to the area, Apr 11 input schedule to review findings - location at King St Fire Station 

6:30 PM 

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
8a. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	a. Auditors- Independent Auditors Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2018

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/franklin_ma_sa18_final_1.pdf

Zack Bentros, Auditor
Chris and Kerry

page 1 (after table of contents)
clean opinion, best opinion

narrative summary, page 14 state of net position
library project as completed moved from a project to an asset accounted for as depreciation

Norfolk Retirement changed assumption rate
increase in liability offset by an increase in investment revenue
$4.4M decrease in liability

Net OPEB liability
big change for town and all communities
change in accounting statements reflected in the changes here
full liability required to be presented in full, as opposed to spread of 30 years
users of statements won't be shocked by the change

P 16
$1.3M current taxes or liened, good job on tax collections
$11.9M an increase over the prior year; starting point of DOR amount of free cash
a little over 10%, and an increase over the prior year, favorable

P  20
highlights the unassigned fund balances
$1.9M more revenue than expected
$1.3M less expenses than budget

used $2.2M in free cash but then gave back more than used

amount set aside for OPEB is about average for other communities

the Town is in a very strong financial position, there are no items in a management letter to be addressed, only about 20% of the communities don't get a letter

thanks to Kerri and Chris, Audit is a cumbersome process and they did very well

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 20, 2019

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, 2019

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_for_march_20_2019.pdf

You can also find the individual documents on the Meeting Agenda page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-20-town-council-agenda

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda items shown below, the link will take you to the associated document)

Agenda Item	Summary
Town Council Meeting Agenda	Meeting of March 20, 2019
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS	a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
2. CITIZENS COMMENTS	a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda.  The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	None
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	None
5. APPOINTMENTS	None
6. HEARINGS	None
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	None
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
8a. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	a. Auditors- Independent Auditors Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2018
8b. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	b. Recreation Department
8c. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	c. Department of Public Works- Recycling
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	a. Capital Budget Subcommittee b. Budget Subcommittee c. Economic Development Subcommittee
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-25: Appropriation Police & Fire Station Improvements (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-25 - Majority Vote (5))
10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-26: Appropriation Transfer Funds Public Works Curbside (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-26- Majority Vote (5))
10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Bylaw Amendment 19-839: Municipal Service Fees- Recycling Sticker Rate Increase- 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Bylaw Amendment 19-840: Municipal Service Fees- Curbside Trash/Recycling Rate Increase- 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 19-840 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
11. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION	None Scheduled
15. ADJOURN

Due to global market issues for recycling, proposal to increase curbside fee

Town Council - Meeting Recap - Jan 24, 2018

The major item for the evenings action was the Audit Report for FY 2017. I prepared my preview of the report for you and much of this was also part of the details covered in the meeting.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/insights-from-audit-report-2017.html

In Legislative action, the Council 

• approved a change of Manager for the beer/wine license at Table and Vine (part of Big Y)
• approved acceptance of gifts for the Council on Aging and the Police Dept.
• approved a move to second reading for an increase in the sales tax on marijuana products from 2% to 3%.
• approved an amendment to the streets/sidewalks to allow for enforcement when a contractor in clearing land leaves debris all over the road, this moves to a second reading
• approved changes to the sewer and water rates moving both items to a second reading. The rates would increase approx $40 for sewer and $40 for water on an annual basis

The official action taken document as posted:




Additional details reported live during the meeting can be found here

• Live Reporting: Town Administration Report to Clos...
• Live reporting: Subcommittee reports - Legislation...
• Live reporting: Audit Report - FY 2017
• Live reporting: Town Council - Jan 24, 2018

the winter season signs along Main St were changed out, the lights and
decorations on the Town Common came down this week

Insights from the Audit Report 2017

The Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2017 does not have a "Management Letter" this time around. Hence, one can easily say the Town is in the best financial position from a control perspective than ever before.

The Audit Report is a good source of information, not just data.

How much stabilization money do we have?
At the end of 2017, the total was $6.7M a decrease of $1.3M primarily due to the use the purchase of the fire truck and the resurfacing of the turf fields. Both have stabilization accounts where we were saving for this expected purchase. (See the table at the top of page 10 of the printed doc, page 13 of the PDF for details).

How much did the FY 2017 budget change during the year?
You might be surprised to find that we added $3.9M to the budget but that was primarily due to the use of the "free cash" from the prior year. The expenditures for the fire truck and turf fields helped to contribute to this as money from "free cash" was added to what was saved in their respective stabilization accounts to provide the total for each purchase. (See General Fund Budgetary Highlights on page 10 of the printed doc, page 13 of the PDF for details).

How many stabilization funds do we have and what amount is in each?
Other than the agenda doc for each Finance Committee meeting which shows the current total during the fiscal year, this is one place to see that answer. The table also shows the change in funds along with the change in amounts over the years from 2008 to 2017. (See section G. Stabilization Funds on pages 11-12 of the printed doc, page 14-15 of the PDF for details).

How do we get "free cash"?
"Free cash" is neither free nor cash. It comes from two sources. (1) You receive more revenue than you budgeted for (2) you spend less than you budgeted for. You can see this effect in the table on See General Fund Statement of Revenues and Other Sources, Expenditures and Other Uses - Budget and Actual, for the year ended June 30, 2017. According to this, we should have $2.9M 'free cash' to use for FY 2018 which is less than we had available in FY 2017 (recall the $3.9M). (See page 19 of the printed doc, page 22 of the PDF for details).


You can find the audit report on the Town of Franklin webpage as part of the Town Council agenda for the January 24 meeting.
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/2017_audit.pdf

Insights from the Audit Report 2017

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 24, 2018

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/january_24_agenda.pdf

Agenda Item	Summary
A. Approval of Minutes	A. Approval of Minutes 1. December 13, 2017 2. December 20, 2017
B. Announcements	B. Announcements This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. Proclamations/Recognitions	C. Proclamations/Recognitions
D. Citizen Comments	D. Citizen Comments - Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and  may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
E. Appointments	E. Appointments
F. Hearings	F. Hearings
G. License Transactions	G. License Transactions 1. Table and Vine Inc. - Change of Manager
H. Presentations/Discussions	H. Presentations/Discussions 1. 2017 Audit
I. Subcommittee Reports	I. Subcommittee Reports 1. Capital 2. Budget 3. EDC
J. Legislation for Action	J. Legislation for Action 1. Resolution 18-01 - Acceptance of Gifts - Council on Aging (Motion to Move Resolution 18-01 - Majority Vote (5)) 2. Resolution 18-02 - Acceptance of Gifts - Franklin Police Department (Motion to Move Resolution 18-02 - Majority Vote (5)) 3. Resolution 18-03 - Local Adoption of G.L. Chapter 64N, Section 3, as Amended: Local Tax on Marijuana Retail Sales and Establishment of Tax rate (Motion to Move Resolution 18-03 - Majority Vote (5)) 4. Bylaw Amendment 18-798: Chapter 155, Streets and Sidewalks - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-798 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5)) 5. Bylaw Amendment 18-799: Chapter 82, Fees, Appendix B - Sewer Rates - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-799 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5)) 6. Bylaw Amendment 18-800: Chapter 82, Fees, Appendix B - Water Rates - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-800 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5))
K. Town Administrator's Report	K. Town Administrator's Report
L. Future Agenda Items	L. Future Agenda Items
M. Council Comments	M. Council Comments
N. Executive Session	N. Executive Session - None Scheduled
O. Adjourn	O. Adjourn

Town Common memorials at night