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

Monday, June 8, 2026

Max helps to recap 3 Town Council meetings in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

FM #1759 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1759 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Councilor Max Morrongiello. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meetings of May 12 (with School Committee) and the 2 budget hearings (May 20, May 21). Yes, we skipped over the May 13 Council meeting. Oops!



We focus on two questions:

  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

  • Joint meeting with School Committee, strategic plan

  • Budget discussions, questions and answers 

  • Final numbers coming up for the June 10, and then June 17 session

  • June is full of events


The conversation runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1759-town-council-quarterbacking-06-02-26/

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Franklin TV videos for replay 






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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"


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Monday, June 1, 2026

This Chalkboard Chat catches us up on 4 meetings in about 40 minutes (video or audio)

FM #1750 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1750 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from four recent meetings:


Our conversation covered the following topics:

  • Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting - April 16

  • Joint Town Council & School Cmte meeting May 12

  • School budget discussion at budget hearing #1 - Wednesday, May 20

  • School Committee meeting - May 26


Our conversation runs about 43 minutes. Let’s listen


Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PqOzGMMeg



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


School Committee subcommittee assignments - 

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 


The Franklin TV video is available for replay - 

  


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


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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Thursday, May 21, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, May 21, 2026 ???

Thursday, May 21



7:00pm Rising Stars Cabaret (THE BLACK BOX)

7:00pm BEN 4 FRANKLIN (meeting canceled this month)



For Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events
For Library events ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events



For additional details on Senior Center events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=
For additional details on Senior Center events ->   




***    Town Meetings today   ***

Town Council Monthly Office Hours
Thursday, May 21 Time: 8:30 AM
No agenda for this informal session

Pole Petition Hearing - Panther Way
Thursday, May 21 Time: 1:00 PM

Town Council Meeting (Council Chambers)
Thursday, May 21 Time: 6:00 PM

Conservation Commission (3rd Floor Trng Room)
Thursday, May 21 Time: 7:00 PM


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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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Second Budget Hearing at Town Council meeting Thursday, May 21 - 6 PM

The second FY 2027 budget hearing is scheduled for the Town Council meeting tonight, May 21 at 6 PM.  

Assuming the normal format was followed on Wednesday night, the questions left over (not answered) usually are answered on Thursday. While there normally is a vote on the budget, recall that it was revealed that the current budget version would not be revised to include 
  • the latest from the Senate or House versions
  • the actual costs for the GIC health plans for FY 2027
  • the Finance Committee recommendations.
Until after Memorial Day, and hence may be ready for the Finance Committee meeting May 27. (Late breaking word says the 27th meeting is to be cancelled, the health care numbers are not yet available.)

The Finance Committee is also scheduled to meet June 3; at this session, the Finance Committee will (finally) get to vote on the revised budget.

The Town Council mets on June 10 and at that time will get to close out this portion of the FY 2027 budget with a vote. 

So settle in, the questions and answers are going to be interesting to see which way the Council will go on the budget.

Town Council budget hearing #1 agenda

Town Council budget hearing #2 agenda

Finance Committee budget hearings covered spent 16+ hours reviewing, questioning, and deliberating on the FY 2027 budget over 4 nights. The YouTube videos are available on the TV Town Hall Channel. The meeting recap for each session is available at Franklin.News
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Wednesday, May 20, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 ???

Wednesday, May 20

7:00am Dana-Farber Mammograms Van (New England Chapel) 
12:00pm Once Upon A Town (live taping) (Franklin TV and Radio Studio) 
1:00pm "Where's the Toast?" Memory Cafe (Franklin Senior Center) 
2:00pm Women's Health Expo (New England Chapel) 
6:00pm FHS Senior Student Recital (Franklin United Methodist Curch)
6:30pm Bingo night (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub) 
6:30pm Franklin Elks Bingo Night (Franklin Elks Lodge #2136) 
7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia (Raillery Public House)



For Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events
For Library events ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events



For additional details on Senior Center events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=
For additional details on Senior Center events ->   




***    Town Meetings today   ***

Town Council Meeting - budget hearing #1

Wednesday, May 20 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05202026-2323

 


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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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Town Council FY 2027 budget hearings scheduled over 2 nights; May 20 & May 21

The Town Council meetings over the next 2 nights will give the new, and yes, since they haven't (most of them anyway), done a budget hearing before, this is all new to the Council.

The normal format is Wednesday, the first night, the line item summary for each of the departments is read aloud by the Clerk of the Council. As it is read, a member (or multiple members) placed a hold on a department line item for follow-up (question, comment, etc.). 

A few departments are generally held automatically by the Chair (Police, Fire, Schools, DPW, Facilities). 

After the list of holds is confirmed, the Council will start back at the beginning of the listing (account number order per the voting document) to address the question for that item. Councilors first, then Council Chamber community members, then Zoom participants, until all questions/comments were addressed for each item.

If any questions can't be answered (usually due to additional research required), those are carried over to the second night. After all those are done, the Council usually votes on the budget.

Not this time around.

Recall that at the end of the 4 Finance Committee hearings, it was revealed that the current budget version would not be revised to include 
  • the latest from the Senate or House versions
  • the actual costs for the GIC health plans for FY 2027
  • the Finance Committee recommendations.
Until after Memorial Day, and ready for the Finance Committee meeting May 27. The Finance Committee is also scheduled to meet June 3, at one of these 2 sessions, the Finance Committee will get to vote on the revised budget. The Town Council mets on June 10 and will at that time get to close out this portion of the FY 2027 budget. 

So settle in, the questions and answers are going to be interesting to see which way the Council will go on the budget.

Town Council budget hearing #1 agenda

Town Council budget hearing #2 agenda

Finance Committee budget hearings covered spent 16+ hours reviewing, questioning, and deliberating on the FY 2027 budget over 4 nights. The YouTube videos are available on the TV Town Hall Channel. The meeting recap for each session is available at Franklin.News
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Friday, April 24, 2026

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 


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


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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