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| Franklin School Cmte: Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 23 - 6 PM |
FM #1135 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1135 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
8 Finance Committee members participated;
6 in Chambers (Chair Conley, Riley, Corbosiero, Nagel, Batchelor, Grace ),
2 participated remotely (Keophannga & Hamilton)
1 absent (Sansoucy)
Quick recap:
Discussion on the scope and intent of the deep dive series. Feb 7 next meeting, Mar 6 joint budget subcmte, then really into budget season for FY 2025 with hearings in May, June for Council.
This is the first capital budget without a holding of the 'free cash' for snow and ice removal. 4.5M is total free cash.
Consideration for a 'land acquisition fund' possibly to be established
Technology at the high school is now 10 years old, can't replace them all at once, chipping away at it to stagger the replacements over time.
Survey to address on quality of life issues, scientific generated survey randomly generated, whole variety of metrics. Often folks are happy but need to divide where there are some opportunities.
Chief Lynch providing insights on the Police requests, (forgot to add battalion chiefs for Fire had previewed the requests for Fire) Did get all their requests
DPW, Director Cantoreggi, Water/Sewer superintendent Martin Providing updates on the details of this year's request, equipment has improved over past years, folks like to use good tools, efficiency & safety
Funds for sewer, water, etc come from the enterprise funds
Facility did not get all asked for, the reasonable requests were met. We don't have any money for new sidewalks, maintenance yes but not new. $2M for a single mile of sidewalk.
Motion for approval for the capital improvements plan second, passes via roll call 8-0-1 (absent)
Motion for transfers per policy as part of the capital plan, second, via roll call 8-0-1 (absent)
The meeting recording runs about an hour & 20 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting Jan 10, 20234 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1135-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-01-10-24
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Watch the Franklin TV video available for replay
https://www.youtube.com/live/dGC2rKWkWB8
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting and found in 1 PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qqA7h0dGjT1Bw7f2muY7KTBc7N6OklZq/view?usp=drive_link
Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Finance Committee reviews and approves of Capital Budget for FY 2024 (video & audio) |
FM #1134 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1134 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers.
Due to a Verizon internet outage at the Franklin TV Studio, the meeting was recorded for broadcast later and available via Zoom. Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BvAH3q6xM&list=PLNyv0AkVasIR_a80hAfFnQoFngebCICow&index=46
Quick recap:
Internet out at TV studio, meeting via Zoom but not through to cable, it is being locally recorded for broadcast later, Audio recording also being made, Owl camera out to use for this meeting and Zoom session
Skipped ahead to Superintendent report, will come back to the FHS student update assuming they connect successfully
Facility planning underway, subcmte met last week. 3 piece process: (1) demographics, (2) educational adequacy and how to support it, (3) age and use of the space in the schools; More info coming as the presentation is scheduled for completion later this school year
Workshop on executive function, 90 mins for adults only, sign up through Lifelong Learning (link to be shared later)
Regards to the weather, please communicate also through the reverse 911 process
Dr Dutch provided an update on the state funding for the newly arrived students, submitted not received yet. Student update on activity at the high school
Oak St administration team to provide an update on the school activities this year so far
Good question on languages and how the new folks, especially the younger ones, are catching on? 'Wheels on the bus' sung in multiple languages is a thing to hear! language is building every day in K and 1
Question to expand on trauma informed practices, some kids are having tough times, how do you handle them? Lesley Univ presenting a course on this topic for a grad level course being set up for this. 27 staff members at Oak will be taking this course
Interview by students focused on 3, 4, and 5th grade students. Adapted also for the lower levels. Coming up later this year!
Next up, program of studies at FHS, Mr Hanna and H McVey
Personal finance and community service coming back for FHS graduation requirements for future classes
Students will receive a copy of the courses available to them, as opposed to prior years advised to review the listing (turns out many didn't)
Timeline reviewed for information process & enrollment
Panther Pride night Feb 12, a good one for the incoming 9th graders (currently 8th graders)
Recurring FHS Varsity Cheerleading National Competition, approved by 7-0 vote
Capital Budget Proposal - I recommend approval of the Capital Budget Proposal as discussed. Motion to approve, second, passes 7-0; Budget subcmte had met earlier and approved this request
The meeting runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. Audio link - > https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1134-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-09-24
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School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee
Meeting Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/1-9-24-agenda
Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet
Oak St highlights -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/MyeaEisD1EuirtpTA
FHS program of studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/aeMBP35oMNzM5QHs5
My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXpStXQX6JrK5nRluvpygt-tkT3o9GCZ/view?usp=drive_link
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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"
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| FHS student providing update on FHS activities during School Cmte meeting via Zoom session |
The Town Administrator memo to the Finance Committee outlining the proposed first pass of the Capital Budget summarizes:
Please find the attached Capital Plan Round 1 for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), as well as the five-year capital plan from each department as required by the Town Charter. Included in this memo is a chart with the 20-year free cash history. The average free cash balance is $3.52 million over the past ten years and $2.89 million over the past 20 years.From the certified total, there are several policy commitments that eat into the total right off the bat, most notably contributions to stabilization accounts (per town policy). Please note that snow and ice removal is now fully funded in the operating budget and there is no reason to “hold” any free cash for snow and ice removal. See narrative below for more specifics.These recommendations are the FY24 Capital program Round 1. A second round will be later this Spring.The following is an overview of certified free cash status for FY24:
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| Finance Committee gets first look at Capital Budget requests for FY 2024 |
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| School Committee has a busy Tuesday evening; Budget Subcmte, MASC Workshop, & then regular meeting |
a. Public Property & Building, aka “the Facilities Department”i. FY24 Public Property & Buildings Budgethttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy24_public_property_buildings_budget.pdfii. List of Town Owned Buildingshttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/list_of_town_owned_buildings_0.pdfiii. December 2020 Kaestle Boos study on school facilities current conditionshttps://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_comprehensive_facilities_assessment_-_final_updated_12.1.2020_1.pdfiv. Franklin School Department Redistricting Analysishttps://www.franklinps.net/district/redistricting-analysisv. Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcommitteehttps://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/subcommittees-and-liaisonsvi. 10-year Capital Facilities Planhttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._vi_-_facilities_capital_improvement_plan_fy23.12.07.23.xlsx_-_10_year_plan.pdfb. Grants discussioni. Ten-year municipal grants historyhttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._i_-_grant_reporting_project_for_fincom_-_town.pdfii. Ten-year school grants historyhttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._ii_-_grant_reporting_project_for_fincom_-_school.pdf
The agenda doc includes supporting materials and covers 38 pages (also includes remote participation info) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/dec_13_2023_fin_com_agenda.pdf
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| Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda for meeting Dec 13, 2023 |
a. FY23 Supplemental Budget and FY24 budget revenue projections
a. Public Property & Building, aka “the Facilities Department”i. FY24 Public Property & Buildings Budgetii. List of Town Owned Buildingsiii. December 2020 Kaestle Boos study on school facilities current conditionsiv. Franklin School Department Redistricting Analysisv. Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcommitteevi. 10-year Capital Facilities Planb. Grants discussioni. Ten-year municipal grants historyii. Ten-year school grants history
a. Approval of Minutes
i. September 13, 2023ii. November 08, 2023
b. Stabilization Account Balance
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| Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda for meeting Dec 13, 2023 |
FM #1107 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1107 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" session with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Topics for this session
Budget cycle starting new with tax rate hearing pinning FY 2024
Tough decisions face in FY2025 and beyond
Migrant housing situation stabilized
The recording runs about 39 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1107-talk-franklin-11-28-23
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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator
Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin
Agenda for Tax rate hearing Nov 21, 2023 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/november_21_2023_town_council_tax_hearing_agenda.pdf
Budget cycle and financial terms audio with Chris Sandini & Kerry Bertone
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/04/the-town-of-franklin-budget-cycle.html
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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"
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| This Talk Franklin covers the FY 2025 budget cycle starting with the tax rate for FY 2024 getting set (audio) |
