Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #3 - DPW - 6/2/20

Town Of Franklin

Finance Committee Meeting

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 6:30 PM

Link to access meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89499275801
Call in Number: 1-929-205-6099 enter Meeting ID: 894 9927 5801 then press #


To view or download the FY21 Budget Message, Budget Proposal and all materials, please visit the Town’s Budget Website
 https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials


AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes
4. DPW Stormwater MS4 Permit Presentation
5. FY21 Budget Presentations: Dept. Tab

• DPW 422 Public Works
• Street Lights 424 Public Works
• Refuse Enterprise 434 Enterprise
• Sewer Enterprise 440 Enterprise
• Water Enterprise 450 Enterprise

6. Enterprise Fund Capital Program Update
7. Adjournment


Trust Fund Balances Update as of 4/30/20
● General Stabilization $ 6,137,832
● Recreation Field 455,151
● Open Space Acquisition 2,349,513
● Budget Stabilization 6,583
● Free Cash 834,296
● Fire Truck Stabilization 309,733
● OPEB 5,833,461
● Property Acquisition 269,958 
OPEB Obligation as of 6/30/19 (PAYGO): 68,554,870


FinComm agenda for June 2
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-06-02_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

Budget hearing #1 - 5/27/20

• audio = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-280-finance-committee-budget-hearing.html
• Notes = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/finance-committee-recap-budget-hearing.html

Budget hearing #2 - 5/28/20

• audio = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-279-finance-committee-budget-hearing.html
• Notes = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/finance-committee-recap-budget-hearing.html

screen grab of virtual session for Budget Hearing #1

 

FM #280 Finance Committee Budget Hearing #2 - 5/28/20

FM #280 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 280 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Thursday, May 28, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

This is the second of four budget hearings for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21).

The Finance Committee Vice Chair Bill Dowd opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

The Franklin Public School budget is the key item on the agenda. There is good discussion and Q&A to help understand the drivers of the school budget. The Finance Committee approves only the top level amount. All the details are the responsibility of the School Dept and School Committee.

The recording runs about one hour and twenty-four minutes (1:24) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of May 28.

audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDY3Z2g7




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Agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-28_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf

Budget doc and Overview memo
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/fy21-town-administrator-budget-message

FY 2021 budget documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials

School budget summary
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/02._executive_summaryrevised.pdf

Schools FY 21 recommended budget
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/fy21_sc_approved_budget_overview.pdf


School Budget page https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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

FM #280 Finance Committee Budget Hearing #2 - 5/28/20

Finance Committee Recap - Budget Hearing #1 - May 27, 2020

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincomm0527&src=recent_search_click

Pre-Meeting Tweets

• Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 1/3 "This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29" #fincom0527
• Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 2/3 = Follow Zoom link in FinCom agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-27_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf #fincomm0527
• Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 3/3 = use your web browser to watch the Live Stream https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream #fincom0527

Budget Hearing #1 - May 27, 2020

Meeting Starts - Jamie Hellen budget message overview

Jamie Hellen budget message overview

• Ready for real time reporting for the first of 4 finance committee budget hearings #fincomm0527
• Attendance via roll call for the intro including Town Admin and staff #fincomm0527 8 present, 1 member absent to start
• Approx 30 participating to start #fincomm0527 chair outlines meeting protocol and process to enable discussion and quality recording
• For FY 20, approx 90% of anticipated revenues through April already in hand. Amount in free cash for Snow/ice set aside ready for reassign as winter was good to us. Chap 70 commitment from State for FY 20 will be met #fincomm0527
• FY 21 is a different issue. #fincomm0527 some COVID-19 expenses will be covered by federal funds, cares act etc. When to be received is open
• Some part time staff at senior center furloughed due to shut down and their funding via revolving funds that are not available due to shut down #fincomm0527 no full time affected

• Balance budget presented, it is fluid. This is round one, there are reductions proposed. Additional may come as State aid reduction develops. Citizens need to be engaged in this discussion. #fincomm0527 FY 22 and 23 will provide additional challenges
• Legislative delegation anticipated to be at the June 3 Town Council meeting to provide insights (Rausch, Roy, and Spilka) #fincomm0527 no rainy day fund, no revenue anticipated to help cover this
• Town administrator Jamie Hellen provides the overview found in the budget memo shared earlier (I also recorded it) #fincomm0527 any cuts to local aid is a cut to the first line and dangerous. Will be critical to find new ways to do business in this new world
• Question raised on override in 2007, link to override collection shared with group. #fincomm0527 http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/04/franklin-override-collection.html (Yes, the 2007 override was BEFORE franklinmatters.org came on line in Nov 2007)

• Motion to hold off on individual budget votes, will do the vote after all the department details are reviewed : motion passed 8-0 via roll call #fincomm0527
• One of the pluses with the virtual meeting is the screen share, all can be on the same page for the discussion of this or that number #fincomm0527
• 2% cost of living increase part of each department budget lines for personnel, contracts negotiated for some. #fincomm0527 2% is about $400k for the municipal side. Did put this forward until such time as we need to relook at it.
• Request for a sheet with FTE head count by department; would be helpful for schools also, Jamie will take it back to Superintendent Ahern #fincomm0527 shift of spot retiring to get an additional Assessor, they are the real ones who generate the property tax revenue
• Cost of handling online bill payments needs to be incentivized. Handling the checks and dollars is so expensive in comparison #fincomm0527 legal funds reduced as collective bargaining is complete for this cycle
• Town clerk budget not reduced due to multiple elections coming this year, one part time clerk moved to full time so only three full time in group, will need election workers for Sep 1 and Nov 3; #fincomm0527 esp as many of the workers were seniors and would be at risk
• Absentee ballots and how they are expanded (or not) remains to be resolved. #fincomm0527
• Facility line item reduction does assume Davis Thayer building would close for FY 21 year (decision to be made by schools - and not likely timewise for short term by my analysis) only accounts for the expense of the building #fincomm0527
• Line item for iPads to help with mobile inspections. #fincomm0527 thanks to Tri-County for some work their students did (one pavilion at DelCarte - I was scheduled to meet with them to report on their work and school shutdown interrupted that)
• Mitigation steps, cleaning and PPE, can be reimbursed via the cares act up to an amount. First 10 weeks cost approx 42k #fincomm0527

Police Chief TJ Lynch

• Moving to Public Safety section, Chief Lynch up. New shift schedule in process, something other depts need to look at to see if something like that is possible. Police at full staff currently (good health!) #fincomm0527
• Fire chief McLaughlin here almost a year now, #fincomm0527 the coordination and cooperation among the depts for the pandemic has been great. Anticipate adding 4 paramedics in Jan 2021 (mid year) awaiting civil service removal approval by State House
• Clear line of succession from paramedic through to chief, started new ambulance billing review effective April, each of the 4 battalion chiefs have additional duties #fincomm0527
• Some nuances of fire head count due to the transition from civil service and the legal requirements before and after. Fire has 52 today, in Jan will be 56 per proposal aligned with battalion chiefs etc. #fincomm0527
• Q on call volume, can get 5 years ? Check page 54 of the budget memo, it is there with some tables and pie charts #fincomm0527 had been on pace for 4800 runs/year pre covid, down slightly since (15%)
• Comment on contract when approved by Town Council, had not heard the dept applaud a deal before. (When the fire contract was approved) Karen Bratt catches kudos twice tonight for her work on negotiations #fincomm0527
• Moving to MECC dispatch operations, one year anniversary already, another merger coming as Mendon and Millville to join in Jan 2021, now eligible for additional grant opportunity, #fincomm0527 for 1 year of assessment getting 3 years of service
• New stabilization fund coming for MECC full assessment in FY 25 #fincomm0527 the report gives thanks to multiple individuals for helping the MECC over the year
• Open for final questions, motion to adjourn, vote via roll call passed 8-0. That's all for tonight! Catch you again Thursday for the school budget discussion.

One of the pluses with the virtual meeting is the screen share, all can be on the same page for the discussion of this or that number

FM #279 Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #1 - 5/27/20

FM #279 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 279 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

This is the first of four budget hearings for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21).

The Finance Committee Chair Micheal Dufour opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

The recording runs about two hour and twenty-five minutes (2:25) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of May 27.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HB7R38g7



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Agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-27_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf

Budget doc and Overview memo
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/fy21-town-administrator-budget-message

FY 2021 budget documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials

Town Budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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"

FM #279 Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #1 - 5/27/20

FM #276 FY 2021 Budget Narrative 5/26/20 (audio)

FM #276 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 276 in the series.

In preparation for the Finance Committee budget hearings scheduled for

• Weds - May 27
• Thur - May 28
• Tues - Jun 2
• Thur - Jun 4

I thought it might be helpful to read the budget narrative our Town Administrator Jamie Hellen wrote and shares as part of the FY 2021 budget package.

Links to the budget documents and budget page are included in the show notes. The individual agenda documents for each of the budget hearings are also included.

The recording runs about 19 minutes, so let’s listen to the budget narrative for FY 2021   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HZ16M3V7



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Town of Franklin (MA) Budget Page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Town Administrator budget message and budget summary
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/2020-05-27_fy_2021_budget_message_narrative_final.pdf

• May 27 agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/events/259774
• May 28 agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/events/259784
• June 2 agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/events/259794
• June 4 agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/events/259804

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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"

FM #276 FY 2021 Budget Narrative 5/26/20 (audio)

Real time reporting: School Committee meeting - April 14, 2020

Remote meeting via Google Meet. All School Community members present via roll call.

FY21 Budget Open Hearing
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

Taking notes via Twitter, the complete thread can be found online
https://twitter.com/search?q=schcomm0414&src=typeahead_click

The text of each tweet note can be found here: I believe I have ordered them in the proper time sequence.

• Real time reporting of first virtual School Committee meeting including FY2021 budget hearing #schcomm0414
• No audio yet via the live stream from the Town of Franklin page, maybe it will come on soon. The Google meet link works fine
• Real time reporting - FY21 Budget Open Hearing underway - follow doc at link https://buff.ly/32taiOT” https://buff.ly/2yT6xaX

• Problem with audio via live stream as well as cable feed not yet resolved. Try the Google meet link, sound there works. Can't paste link here go to schools page and meeting agenda
• Participation seems to be growing for meeting, and the SchComm did get questions thru the chat window!
• Supt Ahern talks about the critical needs added to last year's base. #schcomm0414 ... Approx 44 on virtual meeting at this point if I read the screen properly
• Likely budget gap to be larger than what was previously expected due to pandemic circumstances
• Looking ahead slide from #schcomm0414 meeting, bunch of big questions there stay tuned to revised Town budget timeline for further info. SchComm voting on this Apr 28
• Reading line items of the budget, individual holds can be placed for further discussion on those items
• Questions on principals at the high school, one believes there is too much, that it is a luxury implying we can afford it. Response that the structure is not the same as other schools, we only have 1 on curriculum
• Questions on instructional coaches and related expenses. Response clarification came in that these support the direct education of the students and support the teachers
• Special Ed out of district placements approx 75-80 students, range from $45k to a high of $245k per student, legally required to provide
• Closing budget hearing via roll call, moving to regular meeting agenda
• In the superintendent report, recognition for Kit Brady who is stepping down from an active role with FEF...
• Three candidates selected as finalists for FHS. Names to be added with formal announcement later
• Question on approving pay for hourly workers thru May 4, why not go for end of year? Possible issue with cafe worker funding but could go for end of year now.
• Vote on hourly pay through school closure, passes 7-0 via roll call.
• Proposal to do away with April vacation, use that for 4 days of remote learning and end sooner (if it comes to that). Could end June 18 with this approval, passes 7-0 via roll call
• Superintendent Ahern provides update on remote learning plan, acknowledge difference between K students and high schoolers, grading on complete or incomplete, or P/F basis, let concept is access and not everyone has it
• Elise Stokes shares parent experience (she has 2) while balancing her work too, kudos to the teachers for adapting to this
• Facility study awaiting the sizing report, complicated by the facilities closure, McKibben to redo numbers in Aug given pandemic period, likely to be something less (~5%)
• Consent agenda (leaving out the Mar 10 minutes - not in package) read as otherwise listed; moved, seconded, passed 7-0 via roll call
• Back to #schComm0414 - 3 finalists for FHS principal position (hopefully I get names spelled properly) Rick Arena, current Asst Principal at Groton-Dunstable Reg HS; Josh Hanna, Asst Principal at Hopkinton HS; and Bill Klements, Deputy Principal at FHS

Full text of the Principal search update can be found here
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/fhs_principal_search_update_for_future_fhs_families.pdf

 Full text of the Superintendent's Report can be found here
 https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_april_14_2020.pdf

Franklin TV video replay
https://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=737
 

School Committee member Elise Stoke providing an update on the Facilities study

questions submitted via Chat

Superintendent Sara Ahern providing an overview of the FY 2021 budget

School Committee Chair Anne Bergen opening the meeting

slide capture during the budget hearing

FM #246 School Committee Mtg (Virtual) 4/14/20 (audio)

FM #246 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 246 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the first virtual School Committee meeting conducted on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

The video was broadcast successfully by Franklin TV however, the audio did not come through for either the live stream or the Cable channel broadcast. The audio was successful within the Google Meet. This recording was captured from the Google meeting.

The meeting opens with a roll call, they conduct the formal budget hearing and then close the hearing to conduct their normal business meeting.

The recording runs about an hour and 50 minutes, so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting.  Audio file  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HsLSpym7




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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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"

screen capture of the Google meeting 4/14/20

The video replay for this meeting is available
https://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=737

Franklin, MA:: School Committee Agenda & Budget Hearing April 14, 2020

VISION STATEMENT

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Per Governor Baker’s Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A sec. 20, the public will not be allowed to physically access this School Committee meeting. Members of the Public can access the meeting via remote conference. The School Committee reserves the right to implement additional remote participation procedures and will notify the public of these procedures as soon as practicable.

LOCATION: Remote participation via Google Hangouts Meet -- link below

Join Hangouts Meet = meet.google.com/kpf-tgcx-hth
OR Join by phone 402-369-5348 PIN: 991 744 663#

AGENDA

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence

FY21 Budget Open Hearing
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. none

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Continued payment for hourly employees
I recommend approval of continued payment for hourly employees as detailed.
B. School Calendar 2019-2020
I recommend that the School Committee adjust the 2019-2020 school calendar as detailed.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. Franklin Public Schools Remote Learning Plan

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 10, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B. Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the Executive Session of the March 10, 2020 School Committee Meeting to be released.
C. Budget Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
D. Athletics Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $136.00 from Agile Sports Technologies for supplemental supplies for Athletics as detailed.
E. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $25.43 from Ohiopyle Prints for in-house enrichment at FHS as detailed.
F. Oak Street Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,029.00 from the Oak Street PCC for field trips as detailed.
G. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $781.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment as detailed.
H. Revised Minutes
I recommend approval of the revised minutes from the February 11, 2020 School Committee meeting.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Adjournment


Links I would bring attention to

• Executive Summary  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/files/2-exec-summary
• Budget presentation  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/files/open-hearing-presentation
• Overview A  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/files/6-overviewa
• Overview B  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/files/6-overviewb

All the documents released for this budget hearing can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

FPS - FY 2021 Budget Hearing Presentation 20200414 from Franklin Matters

Presentation Link =
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/fps-fy-2021-budget-hearing-presentation-20200414

Franklin, MA:: School Committee Agenda & Budget Hearing April 14, 2020

Attention Franklin: Revised Town Budget Schedule

Due to the closure of all public buildings and delays in the Town, the scheduled budget related meetings have been rescheduled. The following schedule is subject to continued change and represents the most likely scenario based on the information we have today.

School Committee Budget Hearing

• April 14

Finance Committee Hearings

• Wednesday May 27
• Thursday May 28
• Tuesday, June 2
• Thursday June 4

Town Council Budget Hearings

• June 17 and June 18

We will continue to update the website with any changes.

Interested citizens should also check the Town Calendar and sign up for email notices  https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

For all the info on the Town of Franklin budget for FY 2021 (next year), FY 2020 (this year) and earlier  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget
 
 

Attention Franklin: Revised Town Budget Schedule

Franklin, MA: School Committee - March 24 - FY 21 budget hearing postponed; meeting canceled

The Franklin School Committee's FY 21 Budget Hearing, originally scheduled for March 24, will be postponed to a later date.

The Franklin School Committee's Regular School Committee meeting, scheduled for March 24, is canceled.

 

Franklin, MA: School Committee - March 24 - FY 21 budget hearing postponed; meeting canceled

FM #220 - Town Council FY 2021 budget overview - 3/4/20 (audio)

FM #220 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 220 in the series.

The Town Council meeting of Wednesday, March 4, 2020 featured, among its many topics the initial look at the FY 2021 budget. It projects a deficit of $3.5M which will need to be resolved before the budget is finalized by the end of June 2020.

To remind folks, Franklin operates on a fiscal calendar. We are currently operating under the FY 2020 budget which carries us through June 2020. The FY 2021 budget would begin to provide funding for operations from July 2020 through June 2021.

The show notes provide links to the key Town of Franklin budget page and to specific documents

This is the real beginning of the budget process or cycle for FY 2021. The key dates to follow are

• March 24 - School Committee Budget Hearing
• April 7, 8, 13 and 29 - Finance Committee Budget hearing meetings
• April 14 - Final School Committee Budget approval
• May 21 and 22 - Town Council Budget Hearings

The audio segment from the Town Council meeting runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen in to a preview of the FY 2021 budget  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HskhsYjX



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Town of Franklin budget page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Town Administration FY 2021 budget introduction
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._fy21_budget_update.pdf

Superintendent’s Recommended School budget for FY 2021 (audio and links)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-214-superintendents-recommended.html

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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"

FM #220 - Town Council FY 2021 budget overview - 3/4/20 (audio)

Town Council - Budget Hearings Recap - May 22-23, 2019

A disappointing performance by the Town Council in the two budget budget hearings. Why? They conducted a "public hearing" where they did not allow the public to speak on the first night. Is that really a public hearing? The first night was also marred by a series of questions by one councilor badgering a manager with whom he clearly has demonstrated a dislike. 

This was a budget hearing not a personnel performance discussion and totally inappropriate in the 'public forum'. That no one interceded to take it offline was also a disappointment.

The second night closed on a high note with the goodbyes and well wishes for the retiring Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. Jeff has been a professional and dedicated manager for the 12 plus years I have observed and reported on the town's business. I wish him well in his retirement.

Oh and yes, the budget as proposed was passed with two votes. The two votes were required to enable Councilor Glenn Jones to participate in almost all of the discussion and only recuse himself from the vote on the Tri-County portion of the budget. A sensible solution to a potential conflict of interest situation.

The schools will cut teachers, kindergarten aides, and high schoolers will pay for parking among the key take aways. Many of the critical needs prepared for by the schools in their initial budget will go unmet. It may be just this year but for the students, it is one year in school that they don't get to do over. 

The method of sharing the budget info is not one that works well. While the Council got their questions answered, they easily skipped over including the public in the discussion. Given the reality of tough budget decisions next year and more across the board than the road repair funds and schools, this should also be a consideration. How best to get the residents and voters involved with the budget details?

Links below provide the detailed notes reported during the meetings as well as links to the budget documents.


Wednesday, May 22

• Live Reporting: Legislation for Action to Closing
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-legislation-for-action_22.html
• Live reporting: Town Council - May 22, 2019 - Budg...
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-town-council-may-22-2019.html

Agenda for the first hearing
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-may-22.html


Thursday, May 23

• Real time Reporting: Town Council - Budget Hearing...
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/real-time-reporting-town-council-budget.html

Agenda for the second hearing
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-may-23.html

Will be reporting remotely this evening for the Town Council meeting budget hearing #2 #tc0523 pic.twitter.com/0ExWrSvmOC

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) May 23, 2019

With budget hearing scheduled to open at 7:10 looks like Council meeting won't be starting until then (albeit published for a 7 start) #tc0523 pic.twitter.com/I0DWC91vh9

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) May 23, 2019

Kit Brady speaking for better funding for schools and our children. #tc0523 pic.twitter.com/DGORGq7KAP

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) May 23, 2019

Two votes to pass the one FY 2020 town budget #tc0523 pic.twitter.com/w5eT3TN4Ze

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) May 23, 2019

Town administrator Jeff Nutting makes his final report #tc0523 pic.twitter.com/TfTkY5YY90

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) May 23, 2019

New town administrator Jamie Hellen making his thanks for Jeff and getting ready for what comes #tc0523 pic.twitter.com/KyaiKlOE1v

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) May 23, 2019

Rep Jeff Roy presents a resolution from the MA House to recognize Jeff Nutting for his many years of service finishing in Franklin #tc0523 pic.twitter.com/BHYdpRIFvN

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) May 23, 2019

New Town Administrator Jamie Hellen makes his remarks thanking
Jeff Nutting for his service and guidance