Talk Franklin: Jamie & I talk about the FY24 Budget Season & Earth Day (audio)

FM #976 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 976 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge on Thursday, April 20, 2023.  

Topics for this session

Earth Day, a weekend but really every day

Town FY 2024 budget released

Finance Committee budget hearings scheduled May 8, 10, & 11

Town Council hearings scheduled for May 24, 25

Please get involved in the conversation, we need to develop a strategy to succeed together

The conversation runs about 25 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.

Audio file -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/FY24-Budget-Season--Earth-Day-e22pfls

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

Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 

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

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"

Talk Franklin: Jamie & I talk about the FY24 Budget Season & Earth Day (audio)

School Committee hold budget hearing and then conducts regular meeting agenda March 28, 2023 (video)

The Franklin School Committee held their budget hearing and then followed with their normal meeting agenda on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The Franklin TV video of the full session is available via YouTube.

YouTube link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/Kkg86utrlnw?feature=share

The agenda doc contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-28-23docx.pdf

The meeting packet folder contains all the docs released for this meeting (note- some will be posted after the meeting)  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-28-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

The FY 2024 budget documents arranged in sections ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2024-budget

Franklin School Committee - Meeting Agenda for March 28, 2023 - FY 2024 Budget Hearing scheduled

Citizens Comment: Gretchen Donohue

Gretchen Donohue submitted this via email after the Tuesday meeting:

"Teachers, by their very nature, will not allow things to fall through the cracks.  I work in another district, but I don’t need to work in Franklin to know - the Franklin teachers cover that extra duty, attend that unexpected meeting, work with students through their lunch and after school, make that extra phone call to a family, and somehow get the supplies they need.  That’s just what teachers do.  

The dark side of our inherent desire to do what is best for students is that our efforts often hide serious deficits; teachers’ inability to let students’ needs fall through the cracks often masks just how close to the edge they are operating.   

In this case, appearances are deceiving; as they are often praised for doing, the FPS teachers are doing so much, with so little.  I personally don’t consider this a point of praise; I consider this an indictment of our inability to fully support our schools.  

I believe we need to reconsider our town tax structure to fully fund our schools.  A budget is a moral document, and we fund what we value.  I ask everyone to consider- what do we value? 

Thank you for your time. "

Gretchen Donohue

—————-

My comments delivered later during citizens comments: 

I am here to ask for a Facilities Master Plan and to urge caution in redistricting, especially of former DT families. 

To start, we needed a Facilities Master Plan when we closed DT two years ago, and we still need one now.  How can we be operating in a fiscally responsible way when every decision is made to get the district two or three years down the road? If option 2 moves forward, and about 20% of our students are redistricted, then what happens a few years down the road when the current facilities are either too small or too old to continue to operate? All three options mention a Master Facilities Plan, and, up until yesterday’s Space Needs meeting, we had been led to believe that this was part of the Town’s Master Plan and thus an 18-24 month process.  At yesterday’s meeting we heard that a Master Facilities Plan is a 6+ year process.  It is unclear to me not only WHERE this time frame came from, but also, more concerning is WHEN this time frame is being shared.  If a Master Facilities Plan would not be available until 2030, then why was this detail not included in the language of all of the survey options? 

Beyond the need for a Master Plan, we have the immediate issue of Keller overcrowding.  As a public school educator and a Keller mom, if teachers say a school is “bursting at the seams,” then I take them at their word.  Keller is at 109% utilization, and I know the teachers and staff have been dealing with the innumerable issues that are created when a building is over capacity.  We must do something, and we must do it now. 

Hence Option 3- in the absence of a much needed Masters Plan, option 3 offers an immediate short-term solution by using Sullivan space, while concurrently honoring the social emotional health of the DT students AND is in keeping with the words of Dr. Ahern about avoiding re-redistricting DT students. 

Of course it’s not just about emotions, geography, using space creatively and honoring the words of former superintendents, bottom line- the schools need to be concerned with costs.  Even though one of the guiding principles of the story maps was fiscal responsibility, the summary for each of the options does not mention any cost savings.  This is deja vu for me vis-a-vis the promised by never realized cost savings from closing DT. 

In closing, I hate to be such a downer, but in a world where so much trauma is unexpected, unwelcomed and inflicted upon our children, why would we choose to inflict potential distress on the former DT students?  Any impact on a group of students has the potential to impact any classroom, regardless of location.  I am asking that you please reconsider Option 3, or at least consider making some exceptions for DT families under Option 2.  

And for the district as a whole, please do not make the mistake of choosing another short-term solution that does not have data to support its efficacy or its cost savings. 

Gretchen Donohue

Citizens Comment: Gretchen Donohue

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

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

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