The Town Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23, 2024 beginning at 7:00 PM. These are the FY 2025 budget hearings.
The first night tends to be focused on questions from the Councilors to the various department heads on the cost drivers for their budget.
The second night is (1) any previously left unanswered questions and then (2) the vote to approve the budget and the associated resolutions (multiple votes).
The agenda documents (include remote participation info):
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| Franklin, MA: Town Council Budget Hearings for FY 2025 - May 22 and May 23, 2024 |
l. By-Law Amendment 24-911: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Curbside Trash Fee - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 24-911 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)
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| Curbside fee increase on the docket for Town Council approval |
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
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.
a. FY25 Town Council Annual Operating Budget HearingFY25 Town Council Annual Operating Budget Hearingi. FY25 Voting Document FY25 Voting Documentii. FY25 Town Administrator Budget Message (per Town Charter Section 6-4-1) FY25 Town Administrator Budget Message (per Town Charter Section 6-4-1)iii. Appendix A1 - Town Administrator Recommended Budget Voting Document & Budget Book (per Town Charter provision 6-5-1 & 6-5-2) dociv. Appendix B1 - Franklin Superintendent's Recommended FY24 Budget Executive Summary summary
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| Franklin, MA: Town Council Budget Hearing #2 for FY 2025, May 23, 2024 at 7 PM |
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
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.
i. FY25 Voting Documentii. FY25 Town Administrator Budget Message (per Town Charter Section 6-4-1)iii. Appendix A1 - Town Administrator Recommended Budget Voting Document & Budget Book (per Town Charter provision 6-5-1 & 6-5-2)iv. Appendix B1 - Franklin Superintendent's Recommended FY25 Budget Executive Summaryv. Appendix C1 - Historic Data: Budget Breakdownvi. Appendix C2 - Historic Data: Operating Revenuevii. Appendix C3 - Historic Data: Fixed Costviii. Appendix C4 - Historic Data: Local Aidix. Appendix C5 - Historic Data: Local Receiptsx. Appendix C6 - Historic Data: Assessmentsxi. Appendix C7 - Historic Data: New Growthxii. Appendix C8 - Historic Data: Free Cash Balancesxiii. Appendix C9 - Historic Data: FC & RE
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| Franklin, MA: Town Council - budget hearing 1 of 2 - May 22 at 7 PM |
FM #1205 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1205 in the series.
The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee conducted their 3rd and final budget hearing on the FY 2025 budget on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Seven of the nine members of the Committee participated, one remotely, so all the votes were via roll call.
Quick recap:
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen briefly covered the Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie budget items. Their representatives were unable to participate this year.
Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Business Administrator Dr Dutch, and School Committee Vice-Chair Dave McNeill presented from the table. Asst Supt Paula Marano provided updates on special education programs and answered those questions
As the budget has been presented a number of times, there was an attempt to provide the "readers digest" version, and they were mostly successful.
Some changes noted:
They did provide an update on the migrant funding from DESE, a check for $335K+ was just received and another to account for the 72 students currently in the system is expected in June. These funds can only be used to support the migrant students and are not in the budget
The transportation increased projected earlier at 1100 was reduced to $500 per student and to compensate, the number of FTEs potentially laid off would increase from 30 to 47
They also presented an outlook on the funding to be allocated assuming the override does pass. The schools would get the $6.3M in the first year, and then $4M plus in each succeeding year
The committee then votes to approve the series of resolutions to provide the fund accounting for the budget. Only one vote received a "no", all others passed by the 7-0-2 (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)
Water rate increase was approved for the next 2 years (Council still needs to approve)
Curbside pickup rate increase approved (Council still needs to approve)
Stormwater fee increase approved (Council still needs to approve)
The recording runs about 2 hours & 34 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link ->
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The meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-05-15_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf
Franklin TV video replay available on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nQoCPNfd4A&t=53s
My notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1glI98EwFQFhgMW0OFeAJ6ZrSFGBxMusm/view?usp=drive_link
Photos of the presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/3wrikZJytiS2QUbV6
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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
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"
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| slide with the funding projection assuming the override passes |
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| slide with the funding projection assuming the override passes |
FM #1198 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1198 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee budget hearing, the second of 3 sessions conducted on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The 3rd session is scheduled for May 15, 2024. Then the Town Council does their budget hearing over 2 nights, May 22 & May 23.
The departmental budgets covered were:
Public Safety:
210 Police Department
220 Fire Department
225 Regional Dispatch
240 Inspection Department
292 Animal Control
b. Department of Public Works (DPW):
Departments: 422 Public Works
Enterprise Funds:
450 Water
440 Sewer
434 Solid Waste
460 Stormwater
The meeting runs about 1 and 20 minutes. Let’s listen to the second of 3 budget hearings. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1198-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-2-of-3-05-08-24
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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/kRJStUo28Q8?si=YQQ8EPTnnAz3XMJe&t=61
The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-05-08_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf
Follow along with the budget voting doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_ta_budget_book_v2.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
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/
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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| Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #2 of 3 - Public Safety & Public Works - May 8 |
a. Public Safety:i. 210 Police Departmentii. 220 Fire Departmentiii. 225 Regional Dispatchiv. 240 Inspection Departmentv. 292 Animal Controlb. Department of Public Works (DPW):i. Departments: 422 Public Worksii. Enterprise Funds:1. 450 Water2. 440 Sewer3. 434 Solid Waste4. 460 Stormwater
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| Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #2 of 3 - Public Safety & Public Works - May 8 |
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| What's happening this weekend in Franklin? |
