Showing posts with label chap 70. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chap 70. Show all posts

Monday, July 7, 2025

The Mass FY 2026 budget closes out with Gov Healy signature

Via Senate President Karen Spilka:
Today (June 30, 2025) , Speaker Mariano and I issued the following statement on the Legislature's FY26 Budget:

"We are incredibly proud of the agreement that was reached by the House and Senate on Friday. This is a budget that delivers for Massachusetts residents and reflects our shared commitment to spending taxpayer dollars responsibly.

This agreement incorporates many of the strongest proposals from both chambers, will make Massachusetts more affordable, and will protect our most vulnerable residents.

As President Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to pursue devastating cuts to programs that millions of Americans rely on, we recognize the heightened importance of passing a fiscally responsible budget that invests in the areas that we value most.
This budget does exactly that.

We are deeply grateful to Chairs Rodrigues and Michlewitz, Vice Chairs Comerford and Ferrante, and the members of both chambers for their thoughtful work in delivering a timely and meaningful budget.

We look forward to sending it to the Governor’s desk on Monday."

Via Gov Maura Healey:
"Today (07/04/25), Governor Maura Healey signed the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) state budget, a $60.9 billion plan that is fiscally responsible, lowers costs, protects essential care and services, and moves the Massachusetts economy forward.  

To further control spending and protect taxpayer dollars, Governor Healey is vetoing $130 million, resulting in a final budget that is more than $1 billion less than the H1 proposal and $130 million less than the final conference budget. The administration is also continuing an Executive Branch hiring freeze, halting a planned non-union manager pay raise scheduled for January, saving $17 million, and delaying payment on earmarked funds for local projects in the budget totaling approximately $125 million until later in the year when more is understood about their affordability.

“I’m proud to sign a budget that is fiscally responsible and protects what makes Massachusetts special,” said Governor Healey. “I’m grateful to the Legislature for their strong partnership and efficient work to develop and pass this budget for the people we serve. In Massachusetts, we are continuing to lead and do what we know works – focusing on lowering costs, protecting essential care and services, and moving our economy forward by investing in housing, transportation and our schools. We are also signing this budget in a moment of great dysfunction in Washington. The President is poised to sign a bill that’s going to kick hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents off their health care, increase energy and groceries prices, and cost people their jobs.” 
The Mass FY 2026 budget closes out with Gov Healy signature
The Mass FY 2026 budget closes out with Gov Healy signature



The Governor’s signing letter, veto message, and returns available at this link ->



FRANKLIN =  Chapter 70 - $30,460,643  Local Aid - $3,075,999
Note: The Chapter 70 amount is exactly the same as approved by the Town Council for the FY 2026 budget. The Local aid as approved by the Governor is $33,468.00 more than currently in the Franklin budget. The adjustment to the Franklin budget will occur later this year before the tax rate is set in Nov/Dec.


Sunday, February 2, 2025

Capital Budget Subcmte reviews the capital budget proposal & recommends to Town Council (audio)

FM #1367 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1367 in the series. 


This session shares the Capital Budget Subcmte Meeting held Wednesday, January 29, 2025 in the Council Chambers. All four members participated. 

 

1. FY25 Capital Plan & Subcommittee recommendations 

a. Town Administrator Memo  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4098/2025-01-29-CBSC-Agenda---1a-FY25-Capital 

b. FY25 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4117/1b---Capital---Dept-Requests-and-5-Year-Plans 

c. Quotes  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4116/1c-Quotes 


The votes to approve all recommendations were 4-0


The agenda doc https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01292025-1526


The recording runs about 3 hours , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1367-capital-budget-subcmte-mtg-01-29-25/



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My full set of notes in one PDF ->   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNNvCsoWOmoEZ8ReL0iqH6B9MO9Moj96/view?usp=drive_link 


Franklin TV video links -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/capital-budget-subcmte-reviews-capital.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

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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


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


The "free cash" allocation overview for the capital budget proposal
The "free cash" allocation overview for the capital budget proposal 



Capital Budget Subcommittee
Capital Budget Subcommittee

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Finance Committee approves recommended capital budget & gets the insights on the "hold harmless" liability the Town faces (audio)

FM #1355 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1355 in the series. 


This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 7 members of the Committee were present in Council Chambers on the 2nf floor of the Town of Franklin municipal building for this session (2 absent). 


Many of the Town department leaders were present and participating as needed. School Superintendent Lucas Giguere participated as did Interim School Business Administrator Jana Melotti along with consultant Dr Bob Dutch.


Quick recap 


The recording runs almost 2 hours and 30 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1355-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-01-15-25/



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Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/yzii8AGsv7k?&t=234 


Agenda and supporting documents for this session ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/finance_committee_meeting_agenda_-_january_15_2025.pdf 


My notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ArVXe5jDOAsetxonq0voW2eKTSe_XWN3/view?usp=drive_link 


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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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


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



Thursday, January 16, 2025

Finance Committee approves recommended capital budget & gets the insights on the "hold harmless" liability the Town faces (video)

The Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 7 of the 9 members were present in Council Chambers. 

Many of the Town department leaders were present and participating as needed. School Superintendent Lucas Giguere participated as did Interim School Business Administrator Jana Melotti along with consultant Dr Bob Dutch.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/yzii8AGsv7k?&t=234

The agenda doc also contains supporting information ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/finance_committee_meeting_agenda_-_january_15_2025.pdf

Quick recap 



Dr Dutch & Jena Melotti presenting on Chap 70 "hold harmless"
Dr Dutch & Jena Melotti presenting on Chap 70 "hold harmless"

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - agenda for meeting Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 at 7 PM

Finance Committee 
Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 = 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 Comment
Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Finance Committee cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Finance Committee may ask town staff to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the town staff from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. Approval of Minutes

4. Town Administrator Recommendation on FY25 Capital Plan
a. Town Administrator FY25 Capital Plan Memo  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/04a._fy25_capital_improvement_plan_memo.pdf
b. Five-Ten Year Department Capital Plans  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/capital_-_dept_requests_5_year_plans_0.pdf
c. Backup materials & quotes 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/quotes.pdf

5. Town Administrator Recommendation on expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds
a. Town Administrator Memo  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._opioid_settlement_funds.pdf
b. Draft Expenditure Resolution  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._1_-_resolution_25-02_-_opioid_funding.pdf

6. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive” Series
a. Public School “Hold Harmless” Presentation  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6a._hold_harmless_2025.pdf
b. State House News Service Article  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6b._with_new_term_dawning_spilka_eyes_k-12_funding_reform_primary_care_overhaul_senate_statehousenews.com_.pdf

7. Standing Updates:
a. FY25 Q2 Year to Date Department Expense report  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7a._ytd_budget_expenditures_encumb_option_-_summary_final.pdf
b. FY25 Q2 Local Receipts report  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7b._local_receipts_enterprise_revenues_budget_to_actual_report_-_12-31-2024.pdf
c. Stabilization Account Report  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7c._stabilization_fund_balances_-_three_year_comparison.pdf

Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour
Joint Budget Subcmte Listening Tour
8. Future Agenda Items/Next meeting
a. Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour & FY26 Budget Update Tour  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/jbsc_flyer_fixed_old_site.png

9. Finance Committee Member Comments

10. Adjourn




Saturday, October 12, 2024

The redistricting decision has been made, implementation planning can begin in earnest (audio)

FM #1288 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1288 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. 

 

We cover 

  • Redistricting draft alignment of schools as approved at the 10/08/24 meeting

  • The implementation work that now begins in earnest

  • The budget work continues with Joint Budget Subcommittee Oct 23


The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1288-chalkboard-chat-10-09-24/


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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   


School Committee Meetings


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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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


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


The redistricting decision has been made, implementation planning can begin in earnest (audio)
The redistricting decision has been made, implementation planning can begin in earnest (audio)