2nd Finance Cmte budget hearing gets answers to some Qs from Monday, then gets to the FPS budget (audio)

FM #1726 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1726 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee Budget Hearing on Education, the 2nd of 4 sessions to go over the FY 2027 budget. The meeting was held in Council Chambers with 8 of 9 members present.

Quick Recap:

• Time spent at the opening to answer questions carried over from the Facilities discussion on Monday

• Technology, Tim Raposa presents and answers questions

• Next up, Schools - Supt Giguere, Business Manager Jana Melotti, Paul Griffith (SchCmte Chair)

• Discussion among the committee on how to proceed, ultimately will use the Thursday session to consolidate their approaches in a discussion to lead to a recommendation vote. 

• Note - meeting location likely to change from Chambers to 3rd Floor Trng Room (Conservation Commission would come down to Chambers).

Let’s listen in

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1726-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-2-04-07-26/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SrQw4jc-r0 

Agenda doc including links to the FY 2027 budget 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04072026-2220  

My full set of notes in one PDF -  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AbMULy0fFpVjFAEsHm6Cs5-2PcxcfpBx/view?usp=drive_link 

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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!

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

First night of the FinCom FY 2027 Budget Hearings - audio in 2 parts - 04/06/26

FM #1723-24 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1723-24 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee Budget Hearing on General Government, the 1st of 4 sessions to go over the FY 2027 budget. The meeting was held in Council Chambers with 8 of 9 members present.

Let’s listen in

Part 1 runs about 2:13 Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1723-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-1-p1-of-2-04-06-26/

Part 2 runs about 3:11 Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1724-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-1-p2-of-2-04-06-26/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/Y7KSV5MTfHs?&t=140 

Agenda doc including links to the FY 2027 budget 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04062026-2219  

My full set of notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jmG8Vn97Cemo5YjonVvLtr72hkqHHM26/view?usp=drive_link

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

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"

Finance Committee: FY 2027 Budget Hearings scheduled for Weds (Public Works & Public Safety)

The time to ask questions about the budget of any particular department or operation or service the Town provides is BEST done during the Finance Committee Budget hearings. 

The department leadership is present to answer questions, provide the details on the how and why they do what they do.

Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing (Public Works & Public Safety)

Wednesday, April 8 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04082026-2221 

Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing (if needed)

Thursday, April 9 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04092026-2222 

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

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

Finance Committee: FY 2027 Budget Hearings scheduled for Mon (General Gov't) & Tues (Education)

The time to ask questions about the budget of any particular department or operation or service the Town provides is BEST done during the Finance Committee Budget hearings. 

The department leadership is present to answer questions, provide the details on the how and why they do what they do.

Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing (General government departments)

Monday, April 6 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04062026-2219 

Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing (education: Franklin, Tri-County, and Norfolk Agriculture)

Tuesday, April 7 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04072026-2220 

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

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

Town of Franklin releases the proposed FY 2027 Budget

View this in your browser

FY27 Budget Now Available Friday, March 27, 2026 The Town of Franklin's Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Budget has been submitted by the Town Administrator and is now available for public review. Residents are encouraged to explore the proposed budget to better understand how Town resources are allocated to support core municipal services, infrastructure, and community priorities. View Budget Materials: FY27 Operating Budget FY27 Operating Budget Materials Budget Timeline Printed copies of the FY27 Budget are also available for public review at the Franklin Senior Center, Municipal Building (Town Clerk's Office and Town Administrator's Office), and the Franklin Public Library. Budget Hearing Schedule: Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing Dates Monday, April 6, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers Topic: General Government Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers Topic: Schools Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers Topic: Public Safety and Department of Public Works Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers (if necessary)  Town Council Meeting - Budget Hearing Dates (agendas to be posted) Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers All residents are welcome to attend budget hearings in person. Meetings may also be viewed live on the Franklin Town Hall TV YouTube channel, Comcast Channel 9, or Verizon Channel 29, or accessed by phone or Zoom. Meetings are recorded and available for replay on Franklin TV. Learn About the Budget Process The Town has provided additional resources on the budget development process: Budget Process Budget Process Flowchart Residents can also tune in to two episodes of the Franklin MAtters Podcast with Town staff members, which provide an overview of the Town's budget cycle and explain the process in greater detail: Listen: Podcast Episodes Community participation is an important part of the budget process. Residents are encouraged to review the materials, attend public hearings, and share feedback to help inform decision-making and shape the Town's priorities for the coming fiscal year. View it on website

School Committee Budget Subcmte reviews updates on key slides, discusses approach for budget hearings (audio)

FM #1698= This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1698 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Budget Subcmte Meeting held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 6 PM. All 3 members participated in person in the 3rd Floor Training Room. 

Subcommittee Chair Paul Griffith, Ruthann O’Sullivan and Nadia Mausolf. 

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Business Administrator Jana Melotti participated. 

Quick recap:

• The meeting provided a discussion on updates to some of the key information and preparation for the budget hearings with the Finance Committee & Town Council

• Discussion also on the talking points to continue to tell the full story

The recording runs about 43 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1698-franklin-ma-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-03-24-26/

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School Committee Budget Subcmte agenda -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-2200 

Copies of the update slide pages

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11QvzNNhI9VJuL3xIS96iWAhi6A_bvJJh/view?usp=drive_link

Full deck from the January School Committee meeting

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/c4d59008-f976-47e4-98c1-b1a251bb5690/FINAL---FY27-Superintendents-Recommended-Budget-%282%29.pdf?disposition=inline 

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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. 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"

Finance Committee gets a good discussion on policies, and an update on the grant process yielding $112M over 10 years (audio)

FM #1696 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1696 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The Committee meeting opened with 6 members present, 2 absent (1 open position reportedly to be filled soon).

Quick recap:

• a healthy and engaging discussion on the policies, to be resumed at one of the budget hearings in April before making a recommendation on changes (if any) to the Town Council

• Presentation on the grant process and the yield of $112M over 10 years, an average of $10M/year

• Future Agenda Items / Next meeting Dates:

• a. April 6, 7, 8 & 9, 2026 - Anticipated Finance Committee Budget Hearings

• b. May 28, 2026 - FY27 Budget discussion - first look at health care numbers as open enrollment would have closed Apr 30

• c. June 3, 2026 - FY27 Budget discussion and vote to recommend budget with changes (if any) for the Town Council to vote on at their June 10 session

The recording runs almost 2 hours, let’s listen

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1696-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-03-11-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/UZl8H4Koptg?&t=476

Agenda (updated 3/11/26) - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03112026-2189

My notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oxC1JQgvl3PoNs-2qaHf9vacux3JvsZY/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo album of the grant presentation slides shared 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kLdsxaJEHqXjYEzT7 

Summary of grants over 10 years

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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. 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"