Jamie, Tom, & Lily join Steve to Talk Franklin, recap the budget, and look ahead to plenty of events (audio)

FM #810 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 810 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the special combination of “Talk Franklin” with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, and Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer. 

Talk Franklin was on the schedule for Friday, and given the double meeting of the Town Council for the budget hearings, it made sense to cover our Town Council Quarterbacking session after both public hearings, hence combining them together.

Lily Rivera, Marketing & Communication Specialists joins us on the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend to recap the budget, town state of affairs and look out to the near term events coming in June, Farmers Market opens June 3rd, and then the Strawberry Festival and the Franklin For All booth on June 10 kicks off ArtWALK and the Ladybug Trail. 

The conversation runs about 44 minutes. Let’s listen into my conversation with Jamie, Tom and Lily.

Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-of-the-Town---Budget-and-Upcoming-Events-e1jauvc/a-a81g5o5

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

Recap & audio for budget hearing #1

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/town-council-takes-4-hours-to-get-their.html 

Recap & audio for budget hearing #2

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/town-council-approves-fy-2023-budget.html 

Budget hearing #1 on YouTube for video replay

https://youtu.be/VfOe0X2AMiM 

Budget hearing #2 on YouTube for video replay

https://youtu.be/aY0ikJDyUTE

Keep up with events in Franklin via the Community Calendar

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Jamie, Tom, & Lily join Steve to Talk Franklin, recap the budget, and look ahead to plenty of events (audio)

Town Council takes 4 hours to get their questions answered for the FY2023 Budget Hearing #1 (2 part audio)

FM #806 & 807 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 806 & 807 in the series. 

These sessions of the radio show are the two part audio recording of the Franklin, MA Town Council FY 2023 Budget Hearing #1 conducted on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. All nine members of the committee were present. 

The full 4 hour plus meeting is split into two approximately equal segments. In budget line item order, the Schools start the second section. Use the voting document as the guide to the department line item order.

* The first segment of the meeting runs 1 hour 57 minutes -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-806-town-council-fy2023-budget-hearing-1-p1-of-2-05-25-22

* The second segment of the meeting runs 2 hours and 10 minutes -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-807-town-council-fy2023-budget-hearing-1-p2-of-2-05-25-22

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a. FY23 Town Council Annual Operating Budget Hearing

i. FY23 Voting Document   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/voting_document_fincom_level_fy23.pdf

ii. FY23 Town Administrator Budget Message (per Town Charter Section 6-4-1)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022-04-20_fy_2023_budget_message_narrative_working_document_5.pdf

iii. Appendix A1 - Town Administrator Recommended Budget Voting Document & Budget Book (per Town Charter prevision 6-5-1 and 6-5-2)    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/appendix_a_town_of_franklin_budget_book_fy23_2.pdf

iv. Appendix B1 - Franklin School Committee Recommended FY22 Budget Executive

Summary  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/02._fy23_executive_summary-revised_4-25-22.pdf

• Appendix C1 - Historic Data: Budget Breakdown

• Appendix C2 - Historic Data: Operating Revenue

• Appendix C3 - Historic Data: Fixed Cost

• Appendix C4 - Historic Data: Local Aid

• Appendix C5 - Historic Data: Local Receipts

• Appendix C6 - Historic Data: Assessments

• Appendix C7 - Historic Data: New Growth

• Appendix C8 - Historic Data: Free Cash Balances

• Appendix C9 - Historic Data: FC & RE

• Appendix D1 - Stormwater Brochure and Summary

• Appendix D2 - DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi Stormwater Ad-Hoc Committee presentation

• Appendix E - COVID-19 Federal Stimulus Update

My notes via Twitter -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iO1kizDh3Wy_Kz6TuC0VBrDyENJVwsN_/view?usp=sharing 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Town Council takes 4 hours to get their questions answered for the FY2023 Budget Hearing #1 (2 part audio)

Senator Rausch Secures $1.1 Million in Local Investments For the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District

On Thursday evening, following deliberation on 1178 amendments, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a $50 billion Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget. Over the course of this week’s budget deliberations, Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) secured over $1.5 million in statewide funding and $1.1 million for local investments in the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District, including youth mental health supports, environmental protection initiatives, and municipal infrastructural upgrades. 
 
“This year’s budget prioritized bringing sorely needed relief to Bay Staters,” said Senator Becca Rausch. “We leveraged Massachusetts’ record surplus revenues to make major investments in schools, childcare, workforce development, and housing all while boosting state aid to our cities and towns. The effects these investments will have on our communities will be game-changing, and I am proud to have delivered for the people who sent me to Beacon Hill for a second term.” 

 

The final Senate budget invests heavily in the Commonwealth, including $1.23 billion in state aid to cities and towns; $6 billion in Chapter 70 state funding for public schools, in line with the landmark Student Opportunity Act; bringing Massachusetts’ “rainy day” fund to $6.74 billion; $250 million for pandemic-related grants to support early education and childcare providers; and a policy measure providing legal protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care providers in Massachusetts. This policy was passed to shield Massachusetts care providers from potential lawsuits over providing abortions and other services to out-of-state residents, a measure necessary if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. 

 

Senator Rausch secured $1,100,000 for local initiatives and municipal projects within her district, including: 

• $127,000 to fund and implement full-day kindergarten in Wrentham  

• $600,000 for urgent structural repairs at the Elm Bank Reservation  

• $5,000 to fund anti-bias curriculum in Franklin Public Schools after an increase in local acts of racism, antisemitism, and homophobia 

• $10,000 for the annual Franklin Cultural Festival 

• $8,000 for safety upgrades to the Franklin State Forest  

• $45,000 for facility upgrades for the Milford Senior Center  

• $25,000 for backup power generators to ensure the resilience and reliability of the Millis Public Safety Radio system 

• $30,000 to replace the lighting management system at the Millis Public Library 

• $50,000 for a feasibility study to improve transportation options in Needham 

• $25,000 for technological upgrades to study water pollution mitigation in Norfolk 

• $25,000 to repair and expand the Norfolk Council on Aging parking lot 

• $25,000 for the operations of North Attleboro’s WWII Memorial Pool 

• $50,000 towards a new water pumping and treatment station in Plainville 

• $50,000 to study and improve the water quality of Sherborn's Farm Pond watershed 

• $25,000 to upgrade lighting in the Wayland High School Fieldhouse 

Senator Rausch also secured 5 statewide amendments, including $1 million to fully fund Hey Sam, a youth mental health support line run by Samaritans, Inc; $200,000 for a statewide pilot car seat recycling program to reduce landfill waste and support Massachusetts families; $92,000 to conduct survey research on COVID vaccinations for children in Massachusetts to determine barriers to access and strategy to close vaccination gaps; and $300,000 for the MA Women's Suffrage Celebration Coalition of Massachusetts to continue their educational programming about women's rights and women’s suffrage.  

 

“It is the biggest honor of my life to serve the towns and cities I represent,” said Senator Rausch. “I am grateful for the partnership of our local community members and municipalities to elevate their needs do a statewide level. When we work together, we succeed.” 

  

The Senate FY ‘23 budget now heads to conference committee to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions. Once complete, the final budget bill will advance to the governor's desk to be signed into law. 

Senator Becca Rausch represents the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District, comprised of Attleboro, Franklin, Millis, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn, Wayland, Wellesley, and Wrentham. Senator Rausch serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture and the Senate Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.  

Senator Rausch Secures $1.1 Million in Local Investments For the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District

Town Council budget hearing #2 - 05/26/22 (video)

The Town Council budget hearing #2 and vote on the FY 2023 budget was held Thursday, May 26, 2022 is available for replay via YouTube. Link =>   https://youtu.be/aY0ikJDyUTE (meeting starts at 2:28 of video)

My recap and audio will be available in a couple of days. In the meantime, my Twitter notes are available in one PDF 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iCJomQ2HUrsvux_H-uYPURTyPE57ltB2/view?usp=sharing

 

Franklin, MA: Town Council Budget Hearing 5-25-22 (video)

The Franklin TV broadcast of the first of two Town council budget hearings is available for viewing on YouTube. Video link -> https://youtu.be/VfOe0X2AMiM

The twitter thread of my notes, taken during the 4 hour session can be found here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iO1kizDh3Wy_Kz6TuC0VBrDyENJVwsN_/view?usp=sharing

My recap and the audio recording will be available in a couple of days

 

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Budget hearing #2 & vote on budget - May 26, 2022 - 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

May 26, 2022 - 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 members participating remotely.

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. 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. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm

a. FY23 Town Council Annual Operating Budget Hearing

i. FY23 Voting Document   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/voting_document_fincom_level_fy23.pdf

ii. FY23 Town Administrator Budget Message (per Town Charter Section 6-4-1)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022-04-20_fy_2023_budget_message_narrative_working_document_5.pdf

iii. Appendix A1 - Town Administrator Recommended Budget Voting Document & Budget Book (per Town Charter prevision 6-5-1 and 6-5-2)    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/appendix_a_town_of_franklin_budget_book_fy23_2.pdf

iv. Appendix B1 - Franklin School Committee Recommended FY22 Budget Executive

Summary  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/02._fy23_executive_summary-revised_4-25-22.pdf

4. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. La Cantina Winery - Farmer-Winery, Farmer’s Market License   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/4a._la_cantina_license_trans_and_app.pdf

5. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-31: Departmental FY23 Expenditure Limits, Town Code Chapter 73, MGL Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-31 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._22-31_-_town_council_fy23_expenditure_limits.pdf

b. Resolution 22-32: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-32 - Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5b._22-32_clerks_salary.pdf

c. Resolution 22-33: Adoption of the FY23 Budget (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-33 - Majority  Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5c._22-33_final_recommendation_voting_document_fy23.pdf

6. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

7. COUNCIL COMMENTS

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Town unions) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental  effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares.

9. ADJOURN

Note:

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda document with remote connection info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_may_26_2022.pdf

FY 2023 budget materials ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-23-budget-materials

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Budget hearing #2 & vote on budget - May 26, 2022 - 7 PM

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Budget hearing #1 - May 25, 2022

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

May 25, 2022 - 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 members participating remotely.

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. 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. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm

a. FY23 Town Council Annual Operating Budget Hearing

i. FY23 Voting Document   (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/voting_document_fincom_level_fy23.pdf)

• FY23 Town Administrator Budget Message (per Town Charter Section 6-4-1)

• Appendix A1 - Town Administrator Recommended Budget Voting Document & Budget Book (per Town Charter prevision 6-5-1 & 6-5-2)

• Appendix B1 - Franklin School Committee Recommended FY23 Budget Executive Summary

• Appendix C1 - Historic Data: Budget Breakdown

• Appendix C2 - Historic Data: Operating Revenue

• Appendix C3 - Historic Data: Fixed Cost

• Appendix C4 - Historic Data: Local Aid

• Appendix C5 - Historic Data: Local Receipts

• Appendix C6 - Historic Data: Assessments

• Appendix C7 - Historic Data: New Growth

• Appendix C8 - Historic Data: Free Cash Balances

• Appendix C9 - Historic Data: FC & RE

• Appendix D1 - Stormwater Brochure and Summary

• Appendix D2 - DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi Stormwater Ad-Hoc Committee presentation

• Appendix E - COVID-19 Federal Stimulus Update

4. ADJOURN

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

The agenda document and remote connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_budget_hearing_1_-_may_25_2022.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Budget hearing #1 - May 25, 2022

Finance Committee closes out budget hearing series with FPS and Tri-County Q&A, vote to approve budget

FM #796 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 796 in the series.

 
This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee budget hearing #3 for the FY 2023 Town of Franklin budget held on Thursday, May 12, 2022. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: 7 members of the Finance Committee were in the Council Chambers along with some of the public, 1 member was remote along with some members the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period. 

• Chair Bill Dowd opens the Finance Committee, 8 members participating (although by time of vote 1 member had left leaving a 7 member vte). This is the last of three sessions on the FY 2023 budget
• This session covered Franklin Public Schools, Tri-County Regional Voc Tech and Norfolk Agricultural. Representatives from the first two schools were present for the discussion and Q&A. 
• Interesting questions for both schools. More interesting for the future will be what will happen with the Tri-County feasibility study underway. As a regional school, the approval process for a new school is complex. There is also not a lot of history/precedent for such. Stay tuned as this could get interesting with 11 communities involved.
• The budget as recommended and presented ultimately passed unanimously 7-0

The recording runs about an hour and eighteen minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting May 12, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-796-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-3-05-12-22

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

Meeting agenda => https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2022-05-12_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf 

FY 2023 budget package => https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-23-budget-materials 
 
Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

My notes for the meeting =>  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oOKQmRPPjOucVB1yuCkTsFu4fv_2LpzN/view?usp=sharing 

YouTube recording => https://youtu.be/fgyyBjOb-RE 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

L - R: Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Dan Hanes, Tri-County Supt K McGuire; Tri-County SchCmte member Dr Peter Wernicke