Financial Audit Report for FY 2021

Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s Annual Report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election.

Melanson and Heath presented the recent Audit Report for their review of Town of Franklin financial operations. The presentation and discussion occurred at the May 4, 2022 Town Council meeting. It was a clean report.

FY21 Annual Financial Audit - Melanson and Heath  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._presentation_-_audit.pdf

Audio of the Town Council meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/town-council-hears-from-congressman.html

Audio of my Town Council Quarterbacking session with Council Chair Tom Mercer

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom.html

Congressman Auchincloss poses with Town Council, Town Administrator, and Town Clerk at the May 4, 2022 meeting

Prior year audit report are found on the Town of Franklin page:

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/audits

Town of Franklin gains AAA bond rating

"The Town of Franklin was awarded a AAA (Triple-A) Bond Rating today for the first time in the Town's history. AAA is the highest possible rating by the major credit rating agencies and depicts financial management and creditworthiness is at the most exceptional levels."

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1524509099181887489 

Listen to my conversation with Town of Franklin Finance Director/Comptroller Chris Sandini and Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone. We had this conversation in the Franklin studio on Thursday, April 14, 2022. One of the topics we discuss is the AAA bond rating. https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-780-town-of-franklin-budget-cycle-finance-terms-04-14-22

Town of Franklin gains AAA bond rating

The Town of Franklin Budget Cycle & Financial Terms - 04/14/22 (audio)

FM #780 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 780 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town of Franklin Finance Director/Comptroller Chris Sandini and Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone. We had this conversation in the Franklin studio on Thursday, April 14, 2022.  

We cover the following key topics

A typical day for Finance Director/Comptroller

A typical day for Treasurer//Collector

The budget cycle, and fiscal year (July to June)

Three financial years; past, current, and future all in the mix

Our conversation runs about 62 minutes. Links to the documents referenced during this meeting are included in the show notes.  Let’s listen to this recording of my conversation with Kerri and Chris. 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-780-town-of-franklin-budget-cycle-finance-terms-04-14-22

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Town of Franklin budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 

Budget process low chart -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/new_budget_process.pdf 

MA Division of Local Services (DLS) Municipal Finance Glossary -> https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/qc/dlsmfgl.pdf 

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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

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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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Town of Franklin budget cycle

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Comptroller

To the Town Council and the Citizens of Franklin:

In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, the Annual Report of the Town Comptroller for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 is hereby submitted. All invoices and payrolls presented during the fiscal year by various departments were examined for accuracy and legality before being submitted to the Town Administrator for approval and to the Treasurer-Collector for payment.

The reports contained herein present fairly the material aspects of the Town of Franklin's financial position and results of operations. Financial reporting is in compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's Uniform Municipal Accounting System (UMAS) and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).

The Town’s auditing firm, Melanson, Heath & Company, found the Town’s 2019 financial statements and systems to be in good order. The audited financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2019 are included.

On a side note I’d like to thank my staff for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to excellence. Our team is truly amazing and I look forward to making many significant improvements in the coming years.

Respectfully submitted,

Christopher M. Sandini, Sr.
Finance Director/Town Comptroller 

Visit the Comptroller's page  https://www.franklinma.gov/comptroller

The annual audits can be found  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/audits

In particular, the most recent one can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/melanson-heath-fy20-audit

Continue reading the Annual Report for 2020

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020:  Comptroller

"we’re not getting a management letter this year because everything is good"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"After 15 years with the town, comptroller Susan Gagner retired Friday. 

Gagner is being replaced by Chris Sandini. With 22 years of experience in municipal government, Sandini will have no problem fitting right in, Gagner said. 

On her last day working at the Franklin Municipal Building, Gagner, who grew up in Douglas and now lives in Sterling, Connecticut, spoke with the Daily News about her 32-year career."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180107/franklin-comptroller-retires-after-15-years

For more about the Comptroller's office  http://www.franklinma.gov/comptroller

Town Council Recap - Nov 15, 2017

After getting sworn in, the Town Council set about to organize themselves for the new term of office.

• Nomination for Chair,- Kelly, seconded, unanimous
• Nomination for Vice Chair - Mercer, seconded, 8-0-1 (8 for, 0 against, 1 abstain (Padula) )
• Nomination for Clerk - Jones, seconded, 8-0-1 (8 for, 0 against, 1 abstain (Padula) )

The appointment of Christopher M Sandini Sr as Finance Director/Comptroller was approved unanimously. Christopher replaces Susan Gagner who has retired.

A good portion of the meeting was devoted to an update and overview of the open meeting, public records law, and the ethics requirements now in effect for the Town Council. Attorney Mark Cerel led the presentation and answered the questions from the Councilors. You can view the document used here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/presentations_and_discussions.pdf

In legislation for action, the Council approved the current Procedures Manual. They have the option to revise it if there are changes they would like to see.

The Council approved the Veterans Walkway formally proposed for this meeting after being previewed at the prior session.

The Council approved the allocation of $325,000 in new revenue for the Budget Stabilization Account. The new revenue is over and above the estimate used for the FY 2018 budget. The move was required before the tax hearing set for the next Council meeting.

The official Action Taken document was published by the Town of Franklin and can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_november_15_2017.pdf


My notes recorded live during the meeting Wednesday can be found here

• Live reporting: Legislation to Closing
• Live reporting: Open meeting law overview
• Live reporting: Town Council - Nov 15, 2017

the newly elected Franklin Town Council was sworn in on Nov 15, 2017

Town of Franklin seeking Finance Director

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"After 17 years on the job, town comptroller Susan Gagner is retiring in January, leaving the position open. 

What does the job entail? 

The comptroller’s job is that of a financial director for the town. The salary range starts between $102,000 and $120,000 depending on the applicant’s qualifications. 

The biggest responsibilities associated with the job are assisting the town administrator in the yearly budget process and financial forecasts, to record and monitor the annual operating and capital budget, and to maintain a comprehensive, detailed general ledger of all town financial activity."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170921/franklin-seeks-new-finance-director

The full job posting can be found on the Town of Franklin webpage (PDF)
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/finance.director-job.posting-packet.pdf

or viewed here

Town of Franklin seeking Finance  Director

FINCOM: Comptroller Budget FY 09 (audio)

From the Finance Committee meeting on 4/9/08, the discussion on the Comptroller budget for FY 2009. Jeff Nutting, Susan Gagner, Ken Norman, Rebecca Cameron, and Jim Roche participate.

TIme: 12 minutes, 44 seconds



MP3 File

The proposed Town budget can be found here (PDF).