Town Council spends 4 hours reviewing details of the FY 2026 budget (video)

The Franklin, MA Town Council conducted the first of 2 budget hearings for the FY 2026 budget on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. All 9 councilors were present to start the meeting, 1 left not feeling well during the 4 hour session (Chandler).

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->     https://www.youtube.com/live/OBuOFLY5kZY?&t=184

The Council agenda and associated budget documents can be found here ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05212025-1752 

Budget hearing process summary

This first night, the line item summary for each of the departments is read aloud by the Clerk of the Council. As read, members can place a hold on a department line item for follow-up (question, comment, etc.).

A few departments were held automatically by the Chair (Police, Fire, Schools, DPW, Facilities). Another 14 departments were held by one or members of the Council.

After the list of holds was confirmed, they started back at the beginning of the listing (account number order per voting document) to address the question for that item. Councilors first, then Council Chamber community members, then Zoom participants, until all questions, comments were addressed for each item.

My notes captured via Twitter/X during the session are collected in one PDF file

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11W1dMjvh9zB0X9Bqw8CgfLus5YZG7arZ/view?usp=drive_link

Compensation offered to the Blood Test Donors sought by MRN Diagnostics

MRN Diagnostics is looking for individuals who have a history of alcohol or substance use within their lives to donate blood in our latest clinical collection. 

This study aims to improve testing modalities for medical research through your blood donation. 

Please enroll in our "High-Risk Behavior" collection online or by calling us at (508) 384-0033.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C7zEwTqMlZO/

We talked with MRN Diagnostics CEO Dr. Greg Chiklis in October 2023 about the work his company (based here in Franklin) does. You can listen here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/take-part-in-mrn-clinical-trial-to.html

Compensation offered to the Blood Test Donors sought by MRN Diagnostics

Talking about Teaching & Education with FEA President Donna Grady (audio)

FM #1194 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1194 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Franklin Education Association (FEA) President Donna Grady. We recorded this talk in the Franklin TV Studios on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. 

The Franklin Education Association (FEA) is the union representing all the educational personnel in the Franklin School District. Donna is the unit president and has been for 8 years. She teaches kindergarten at Keller, previously Jefferson, and has been teaching for 35 years.

We talked about education today in the Franklin schools from elementary to middle school to high school. The nature and challenges of teaching our wonderful kiddos through the grade levels.

The recording runs about 55 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1194-teaching-education-with-donna-grady-fea-president-04-3024

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Donna’s school contact info -> gradyd@franklinps.net 

Franklin Education Association web page -> https://franklin.massteacher.org/ 

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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"

Talking about Teaching & Education with FEA President Donna Grady (audio)

Take part in a MRN Clinical Trial to build the repository & earn some compensation (audio)

FM #1073 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1073 in the series. 

This shares my interview and discussion with MRN Diagnostics CEO Dr. Greg Chiklis. Our discussion was conducted on site at the MRN facility in the Forge Park Industrial Park.

• What is MRN’s mission? The role of the MRN’s Clinical Research Division 

• About the clinical research studies that are currently available (Ageros, Leidos)

• Studies are handled by an experienced team of clinical coordinators who follow stringent protocols to ensure the safety of our donors and the integrity of our studies

• Donors will receive compensation for each study that they participate in

• Create the Biorepository for future studies

• How we can get involved in one or more of these clinical collections

• For more information on how you can take part, please contact us at (508) 384-0033 or email collections@mrndx.com

The recording runs about 36 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Dr. Greg Chiklis. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1073-mrn-diagnostics-dr-greg-chiklis-10-05-23

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Home page for MRD -> https://www.mrndx.com/ 

Clinical Collections Flyer -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PYwt2IFAnf6TYSQKQLyAWQZZDWPw87GL/view?usp=drive_link

How to donate to one of the collections -> https://www.mrndx.com/donor-home 

Clinical Compensation summary -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GBAv27U-0aGb7K5jAtnc2xchHBVHs8EU/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 franklin.news/ or 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"

"Talk Franklin" gets the new year started; Jamie talks of committees authorized, compensation plan, capital budget, and more (audio)

FM #917 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 917 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.  

Topics for this session

Welcome to 2023

200 acres of open space

Town Council recap

Four committees authorized

• Arts & Culture prep for Master Plan – complete Jun 2023

• Master Plan – approx. 18 months

• Davis Thayer reuse – complete Dec 2023

• Police Station likely 3-4 years

Finance Committee recap

• Compensation plan, multi year implementation

• Capital budget for FY 2023 ( increase to debt stabilization account)

Hiring for backfills continues

Preview of Town Council

The conversation runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/2023---A-Year-of-Planning-for-Franklins-Future-e1tjutj/a-a96jv09

 

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Town Council meeting 1/04/23 recap (audio & video links) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/franklin-panthers-recognized-historic.html 

Finance Committee 1/11/23 recap (audio & video links) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/finance-cmte-gets-briefed-on-1st.html 

Compensation & Classification Study

i. Draft Report, Results & Methodology   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_draft_final_report.pdf 

ii. Compensation & Classification Plan   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_plan.pdf 

Town Council agenda for 1/18/23

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/franklin-ma-town-council-january-18.html 

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

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

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" gets the new year started; Jamie talks of committees authorized, compensation plan, capital budget, and more (audio)

Finance Cmte gets briefed on 1st compensation study performed for Franklin non-union personnel, approves 1st pass of FY 23 capital budget (audio)

FM #915 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 915 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 11, 2023. 

Seven members of the Finance Committee participated (2 absent); 5 present in the Council Chambers, 2 remote. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, and any Department leader with a capital budget item. 

Quick recap:

• First item presentation and discussion on the first comprehensive salary and compensation plan for the non-union personnel. Jointly presented by the consultant, HR Director Karen Bratt and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. New salary ranges developed, implementation will be gradual due to overall funding resources available. Prioritization of those instances in the high ranges and low ranges which need addressing is underway

• Second item was the first pass of the capital plan for FY 2023. $750K is set aside to cover for snow/ice and if not used will be available for a second round later this year (Apr/May). Brief presentation on each section of the requests, clarification questions on need and or rationale. Supply chain issues are relatively rampant: Grove St traffic light due March 2022 still not here, fire ambulances ordered last year still not here, same for police cruisers ordered last year… Committee moved to approve the full request as discussed to the Town Council for their approval

FY23 Capital Plan Proposal

The meeting recording runs 1 hour and 57 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting Jan 11, 2023.

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Discussion: Compensation & Classification Study

i. Draft of Final Report, Results & Methodology -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_draft_final_report.pdf

ii. Compensation & Classification Plan -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_plan.pdf

FY23 Capital Plan

a. Town Administrator FY23 Capital recommendations memo -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_memo.pdf 

b. FY23 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans  -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_requests_5yr_plan_sheets.pdf   

c. Quotes (if available)  -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_quotes_and_backup.pdf 

 

The agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_jan_11_2023.pdf

 

Note: the doc used by the consultant for the compensation study is not yet available. 

 

Screenshots of the presentation were captured during the meeting and available in this photo album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/WEoCSrZ2Kn3sBcxT6

My notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rTFyi7BjsfCuWEYm9yHPE9Sa7voXFtWE/view?usp=share_link 

YouTube recording =>   https://youtu.be/Q2Kbhwq1pdk

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

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

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 of Franklin: Finance Committee Meeting - January 11, 2023