Franklinites: Spend a few minutes with this "must listen" summary from Town Administrator Hellen on FY 2024 (audio)

FM #993 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 993 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the opening 35 minutes or so for the Finance Committee meeting (and first of three budget hearings for the FY 2024 budget year). The meeting was held on Monday, May 8, 2023. 

Quick recap:

• The first 35 minutes or so are a “must listen” for any Franklinite to understand the scope of the revenue and cost drivers for the FY 2024 budget

• Town administrator Jamie Hellen walks through the revenue and cost drivers for the budget effectively in 35 minutes or so 

The “must listen” recording runs 37 minutes, so let’s listen to the Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provide the intro to the FY 2024 budget discussions at the Finance Committee meeting May 8, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-993-finance-cmte-must-listen-bh1-05-08-23

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Meeting agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_8_fin_com_agenda_0.pdf 

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

My notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y71rUvK3Sdu79B7DnN5vIdC4tDa9zOXG/view?usp=share_link 

Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

YouTube recording =>   https://www.youtube.com/live/WHWL2ods9d8?feature=share

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/XpAFzF4Z97irFB6s5 

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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!

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

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

Spend a few minutes with this "must listen" summary from Town Administrator Hellen on FY 2024

FinCom gets the FY 2024 summary from Town Administrator Hellen as budget hearings open Monday (audio)

FM #992 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 992 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting and first of three budget hearings for the FY 2024 budget year. The meeting was held on Monday, May 8, 2023. 

Eight members of the Finance Committee participated (1 absent - Hansen); 6 present in the Council Chambers, 2 remote. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandini, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone and all the department heads except for those associated with public safety (police, fire dispatch, & inspection) scheduled for Thursday (5/11). 

Quick recap:

• The first 35 minutes or so are a “must listen” for any Franklinite to understand the scope of the revenue and cost drivers for the Fy 2024 budget

• That segment will be made available separately just because it is such a good summary, it should not get forgotten or lost in any other shuffle

• Many interesting tidbits of info along the way from this or that department

The meeting recording runs 2 hours and 5 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting May 8, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-992-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-1-05-08-23

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Meeting agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_8_fin_com_agenda_0.pdf 

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

My notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y71rUvK3Sdu79B7DnN5vIdC4tDa9zOXG/view?usp=share_link 

Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

YouTube recording =>   https://www.youtube.com/live/WHWL2ods9d8?feature=share

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/XpAFzF4Z97irFB6s5 

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

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"

Finance Committee - first of 3 budget hearings - May 8, 2023 at 7 PM

Finance Committee gets to hear from Norfolk Aggie, Tri-County & Franklin Public Schools (video)

The Franklin Finance Committee met for the second of their 3 budget hearings on Wednesday, May 10 at 7 PM. Schools were the topic for the evening. The FinCom heard for the first time from Norfolk Aggie, got an update from Tri-County, and spent the most time trying to understand the Franklin schools systemic budget issue.

The third and final hearing takes place on Thursday, May 11 also scheduled for 7 PM.

Presentation documents for Tri-County and Franklin Public Schools are scheduled to be added to the Town page. Once those links are identified, they'll be added here. In the meantime, photos capturing the slides used are available.

a. Education:

i. 395 Norfolk County Agricultural School  FY 2024 budget -> 

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/norfolkcountyma/FY24%20Norfolk%20County%20Budget%20V3%204-12-23.1.pdf

ii. 390 Tri-County Regional Vocational School District  FY 2023 budget ->  https://tri-county.us/budgets-financial-documents/

iii. 300 Franklin Public School District  -> FY 2024 -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget

Franklin TV Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/1-4GwOsbRNc?feature=share

Tri-County update ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6akR6TvwSyrYvkFh6

FPS update ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/2WYTBKhpxisJFUuT9

one slide from the Tri-County update to the FinCom on Weds

Finance Committee - last of 3 budget hearings - May 11, 2023 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Monday, May 11, 2023 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building 

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. FY24 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing continued...

FY24 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

a. Public Safety:

i. 210 Police Department

ii. 220 Fire Department

iii. 225 Regional Dispatch

iv. 240 Inspection Department

v. 292 Animal Control

4. FY24 Town Administrator Operating & Enterprise Budget Final Recommendation.

5. Future Agenda Items

6. Adjourn

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/may_11th_fin_com_agenda.pdf

Finance Committee - last of 3 budget hearings - May 11, 2023 at 7 PM

FinCom gets the "must watch" summary from Town Administrator Hellen as budget hearings open Monday (video)

The Finance Committee conducted the first of 3 budget hearings on Monday, May 8, 2023. 

The opening 38 minutes or so is a "must watch" summary by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. He provides an overview of the budget starting with the revenue forecast, the key expense drivers, the adds to the budget and sets up for the department heads to answer the detailed questions that may arise later in the meeting.

Franklin TV YouTube link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/WHWL2ods9d8?feature=share

FY24 Town Administrator Budget Materials website  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials

My notes can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y71rUvK3Sdu79B7DnN5vIdC4tDa9zOXG/view?usp=share_link

The audio will be available in a day or so.

Finance Committee - first of 3 budget hearings - May 8, 2023 at 7 PM

Finance Committee - second of 3 budget hearings - May 10, 2023 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. FY24 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing Continued...

FY24 Town Administrator Budget Materials website   https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials

a. Education:

i. 395 Norfolk County Agricultural School  FY 2024 budget -> 

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/norfolkcountyma/FY24%20Norfolk%20County%20Budget%20V3%204-12-23.1.pdf

ii. 390 Tri-County Regional Vocational School District  FY 2023 budget ->  https://tri-county.us/budgets-financial-documents/

iii. 300 Franklin Public School District  -> FY 2024 -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget

4. Future Agenda Items

5. Adjourn

Finance Committee - second of 3 budget hearings - May 10, 2023 at 7 PM 

Finance Committee - first of 3 budget hearings - May 8, 2023 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Monday, May 8, 2023 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building 

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

a. December 7, 2022

b. December 7, 2022 - Executive Session

c. January 11, 2023

d. February 8, 2023

4. FY24 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing:

FY24 Town Administrator Budget Materials website  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials

a. General Government -

i. Departments: 111 Town Council, 123 Town Administrator, 131 Finance Committee, 135

Comptroller, 141 Assessors, 147 Treasurer-Collector, 151 Legal, 152 Human Resources,

155 Information Technology, 161 Town Clerk, 164 Elections & Registration, 176 Appeals Board (ZBA), 177 Planning & Growth Management, 184 Agricultural Commission, 192 Public Properties & Buildings, 196 Central Services.

b. Human Services -

i. Departments: 510 Board of Health, 541 Council on Aging, 543 Veterans Services.

c. Culture & Recreation -

i. Departments: 610 Library, 630 Recreation, 690 Historical Museum, 691 Historical Commission, 695 Cultural Council, 696 Cultural District Committee.

 

d. Debt & Interest -

i. Departments: 710 Debt Service - Principal, 750 Debt Service - Interest.

e. Employee Benefits:

i. Departments: 910 Retirement & Pension, 945 Risk Management (Liability Insurance).

f. Department of Public Works (DPW):

i. Departments: 422 Public Works

ii. Enterprise Funds:

1. 450 Water

2. 440 Sewer

3. 434 Solid Waste

4. 460 Stormwater

5. Future Agenda Items

6. Adjourn

Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/events/417656

Finance Committee - first of 3 budget hearings - May 8, 2023 at 7 PM

Finance Committee: FY 2024 Budget Hearings Scheduled - May 8, May 10, & May 11, 2023

Finance Committee Meetings - May 8, May 10 and May 11 of 2023

The Finance Committee will hold a series of meetings May 8, 2023 - May 11, 2023. 

These meetings will review various aspects of the FY2024 Town Administrators Operating Budget.

You may access the agenda and links for the following meetings below....

• Monday, May 8th, 2023 Agenda and Links
• Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 Agenda and Links
• Thursday, May 11th, 2023 Agenda and Links

All meetings will commence at 7:00pm in the Municipal Chambers and via the Zoom platform.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/finance-committee-meetings-may-8th-may-10th-and-may-11th-2023

Finance Committee: FY 2024 Budget Hearings Scheduled - May 8, May 10, and May 11, 2023

Talk Franklin: Jamie and I go 'long' talking patience, process, and engagement results - 04/28/23 (audio)

FM #985 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 985 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation in person at the Senior Center. We had already been involved in back-to-back sessions and added our recording session to this slot on Friday, April 28, 2023.  

We usually watch the clock to keep the session shorter but we were having such a good discussion we went with the flow.

Topics for this session

Arts & Culture listening session (2nd of 3 scheduled)

Senior Center volunteer recognition event

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

Town Council hearings scheduled for May 24 & 25

The recording runs about 55 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie on Friday, April 28, 2023

Audio file -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/State-of-Franklin---May-2023-e23gcru

 

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

Arts & Culture survey -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4AWODps2aVQd_tzHIGfcJBRwUdpvYB9jK3hgfxploSWc7zw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Town of Franklin calendar for May meetings & events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar/month/2023-05 

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 and I go long talking patience, process, and engagement results - 04/28/23 (audio)

Town Council Quarterbacking condenses the meeting to what it means for Franklin residents & taxpayers (audio)

FM #980 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 980 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer in our Town Council Quarterbacking session. This is one of the series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior night’s Town Council meeting. 

Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of Apr 26, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

2 license transactions

• Transfer of Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License and Approval of Parth Patel as the Manager - Marlboro Food, Inc. d/b/a 7-Eleven, Located at 664 Union St.   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._1_license_transaction_-_7-eleven_transfer_of_section_15.pdf 

• Robert Vozzella / La Cantina Winery - Farmer-Winery, Farmer’s Market License    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7b._license_transaction_-_la_cantina.pdf 

1 piece of legislation

• Resolution 23-28: Town Council Approval of County ARPA Funds  (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-28 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._23-28_arpa_700k.pdf 

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Discussion: Open Space & Recreation Plan Update - Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Agent and Natural Resources Manager  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._1_-_memo_-_osrp_presentation_.pdf 

b. Discussion: Display of Flags on Town Flagpoles or Property     https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._flags_0.pdf 

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Our conversation runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council Quarterbacking session recorded Apr 27, 2023

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-980-town-council-quarterbacking-04-27-23

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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_26_2023_0.pdf 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a-fQYmqnEnma1RPjufiBjVjft3nJ5-GW/view?usp=share_link 

Franklin TV meeting video ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/VTsQ6p7Pc_w?feature=share 

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

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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for April 26, 2023 meeting