Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Agenda for Town Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
January 21, 2026 = 6:00 PM


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

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.
c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. 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 Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.   
Agenda for Town Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 6 PM
Agenda for Town Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 6 PM

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a. Proclamation - Scotty Smith Retirement
5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Zoning Board of Appeals
i. Isabella Carter  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8127/5aii-1---Isabella-Carter
ii. Jennifer Williams    https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8126/5ai-1---Jen-Williams

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled
 
8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Town Infrastructure Overview - Brutus Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8133/Town-Council-Presentation---January-21-2026

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 26-06: Amendment to Cannabis licensing Local Approval Process and Cannabis Social Equity Policy Social Equity policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-06 - Majority Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8129/9a-Cannabis-Social-Equity-Policy 
b. Resolution 26-07: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library ($500)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-07 - Majority Vote)  
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8130/9b--Gift-Acceptance---Library
10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting
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Thursday, January 1, 2026

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it?

We're going to the archives to bring forward a number of key items to share to help folks who are newly engaged to help understand the overall processes of Town of Franklin government in action.


Town of Franklin: Government 101 (audio) (2018)

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (video) (2019)

Town of Franklin: Government 101 - budget cycle (audio) (2022)

Town of Franklin: Government 101 - Finance Update (audio) (Dec 2024)

Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio) (August 2021)

Town of Franklin: All about the sewer system, yes we have capacity for growth (audio) (2023)

Town of Franklin Water & Sewer projects update (audio) (Oct 2025)

Franklin For All housing & zoning podcast series (audio) (2022-2023)


*** Finance Committee "Deep Dive" series

Technology, Dec 2025

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/finance-committee-gets-answer-on-how.html


Capital budget FY 2024 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/finance-committee-reviews-and-approves.html


Facilities, Dec 2023

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/finance-committee-takes-deep-dive-sorta_01138495076.html


Permitting & storm water credits Feb 2023

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/finance-committee-hears-from-town.html


Schools, Dec 2022 (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.html

Schools, Dec 2022 (Video) 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-to-better.html 


Storm water utility fee March 2022

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/your-time-is-needed-now-to-pay.html


"Talk Franklin" series on individual departments/services


You can also check out the department segments shared from each of the Annual Reports. While much of the report sections tout the stats for that department's activity in the prior year, they also get into some detail on what is done and how it is done. 

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it?
Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it?

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Sunday, December 28, 2025

School Committee meeting of Dec 9 condensed to 30 minutes (audio)

FM #1618 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1618 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with Vice Chair of the School Committee Dave Callaghan.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Monday, December 15, 2025. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting Dec 9, 2025.


Our conversation covered the following topics:

  • Policy Subcommittee meeting update 
  • FHS Volleyball team recognized for D1 State Championship for first time
  • Capital budget presentation
  • Franklin (MA) School enrollment
  • Hold harmless and revolving funds


Our conversation runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1618-chalkboard-chat-12-15-25/


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School Committee page (with contact info) ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee 


Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/tUGB-NrTDqg?si=hP1E7xxxxg-vJwVa&t=13  


Agenda for this session ->     https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043  


My notes captured during the session -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XXqbmtnXdasgYqiM9utZ2WPhLMQ1S3Gq/view?usp=drive_link 


Superintendent’s Report -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159058/December_9__2025_Superintendent_s_Report_to_School_Committee.pdf  


School District Capital Request -> 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159047/Franklin_Public_Schools_FY26_Capital_Request.pdf 



Special Education Presentation to SchCmte ->  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159049/Special_Education_School_Committee_Presentation_December_9__2025.pdf 

Franklin (MA) Enrollment snapshot (as of October 1, 2025)

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6155704/Franklin_Enrollment_Snapshot%282%29.pdf 


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


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 out. 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"
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Tuesday, December 9, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 ???

Tuesday, December 9

  • FHS Cheerleaders fundraiser from 5 PM to 9 PM (Chipotle Mexican Grill)

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

7:00pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio)

Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events


For additional details on Library events -> 

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   




** Town Meetings today   **


Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee

December 9, 2025, 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2047 


Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

December 9, 2025, 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2046 


Design Review Meeting-CANCELED

December 9, 2025, 7:00 PM


Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

December 9, 2025, 7:00 PM


Franklin School Committee

December 9, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043 



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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

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Saturday, December 6, 2025

3 School Committee meetings on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2025

2 School Committee subcommittees are scheduled to meet at 6 PM in the 3rd floor Conf room (Budget) and the 3rd floor Training room (Policy).
3 School Committee meetings on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2025
3 School Committee meetings
on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2025

The full School Committee is scheduled to meet at 7 PM in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor.

I'll "follow the money" and record/report on the Budget subcommittee meeting. 

Franklin TV will broadcast the full School Committee meeting from Council Chambers. I'll participate to report on the meeting.

That provides a detailed update on 2 of the 3 meetings. If someone is willing to take notes on the Policy meeting, I can work with them to share those notes.

Agenda documents include remote participation info:




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Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio)

FM #1591 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1591 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Monday, November 25, 2025.  


Key topics

  • Picked up with summer concert

  • New Council, new School Committee, learning curve

    • Tax rate hearing Dec 3

    • Finance Committee Dec 10

    • Council meeting Dec 17, a potpourri 

  • January 2026 and the budget cycle brings hard choices to be made

  • Cultural events this week and first couple of week of December

  • Spend with with family & friends this weekend


The recording runs about  46 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1591-talk-franklin-11-24-25/

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Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio)
Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap,
then budget & other Town business,
before taking time to recoup (audio)
Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 


Franklin Public Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/ 


Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/168/Town-Budgets 


School budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-district-budget 


Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 


BTW - Official results of the Override election in 2024 was a difference of 236 votes. The difference narrowed to 196 in the Override vote of 2025.


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

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 out. 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"



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