2nd Joint Budget Listening Sessions gets more questions & answers (audio)

FM #1385 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1385 in the series. 

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at the Remington/Jefferson cafetorium.  8 of the 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Supt Lucas Giguere. 

Brief statements by TA Hellen and by Supt Giguere opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. About 10 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions.

View of the subcommittee table lineup just before starting the session

Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sides

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 

As of today, $3.6M short, may change slightly but that is the ballpark for today. Towb budget coming out March 5.

Cherry sheet link to MA Dept of revenue as referenced by Town administrator Jamie Hellen https://www.mass.gov/cherry-sheet-estimates 

The recording runs about 2 hours 20 minutes , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1385-joint-budget-listening-session-2-02-12-25/

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The agenda doc 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_02122025-1560 

The agenda packet includes:

a. Town Administrator FY26 Budget Update #4 Memorandum - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4201/Town-Administrator-FY26-Budget-Update-4-Memorandum- 

b. Updated FY26 Budget Model (1/30/25)  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4191/02b-FY26-Budget-Control-Sheet---Control-Summary 

c. Estimated Override Matrix  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4190/02c-Override-Tax-Rate-Impact-Calculationxlsx---Sheet1 

d. Board of Assessors Request Letter  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4189/02d-Board-of-Assessors-Support-for-Administrative-Assistant

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/UWOc6uLkOO0?&t=356 

My full set of notes in one PDF ->   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ZqQ_mjYRrkcoszx1YVW-JVq4o9CSz1V/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

• 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!

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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"

Joint Budget gets updates, sets "listening sessions" schedule, hears from Town Dept Heads (video)

The Joint Budget Subcommittee met as scheduled on Tuesday evening in Council Chambers. 10 of the 11 members participated (Corbosiero was absent).

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/Pq0-UqDkm4o?&t=54

The agenda doc and supporting material for the meeting ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-12-17_joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda.pdf

The Town Department Head's letter to the committee ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/letter-to-joint-budget-subcommittee.html

Quick recap:

• First item approval of prior meeting minutes
• Mar 8, 2023; Aug 2, 2023; Oct 11, 2023; Mar 6, 2024; Oct 23, 2024
• All minutes were moved separately for a vote, all votes unanimously approved. 10 members participating in Chambers
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides an update on minimal changes to the developing FY 2026 budget; Norfolk County pension #s now firm  
• Health care costs are increasing approx. 18%, company is loosing money on Franklin our claims are exceeding what we pay in premium $s, by about 12 cents more than we pay Insurance Advisory Cmte (IAC) has been working well, less competition available in the market
• $4.5M is a large number, we are still far away from the final numbers, dept budget are due soon, collective bargaining underway, Gov budget coming out in Jan 2025; local receipts likely will get bumped up with the 2nd Quarter results, as well as the 3rd Q results for Input to the FY 2026 budget
• Employees participate in health care costs with a 68-32 split (town pays 68, employee 32). Only 64% of the employees have coverage.
• So what had been a $3.7M deficit is now a $4.5M deficit with those 2 factors; Norfolk County pension cost and health care costs adding to increase the deficit. Jamie holds that it will come down slightly as the rest of the numbers get firmed up but will likely still be in the 3-4M range.
• Schedule of "listening sessions" released, to be adjusted slightly adding (or moving) one session to a Saturday. All have commitments to make this series of sessions work. Other coffees can be scheduled with some members participating
• Letter from the Town Department Head's was handed to committee members and read jointly by Chief Lynch, Chief McLaughlin and Library Director Oti.

My set of notes from the meeting ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVajSM_qNPtttoVAWuWjqA9OMDRtTyYl/view?usp=drive_link

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides an update on minimal changes to the developing FY 2026 budget

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the Joint Budget meeting & the need to begin discussions now (audio)

FM #1313 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1313 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Vice-Chair Dave McNeill. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, November 7, 2024. We recapped the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of Oct 23, 2024. 

 

We cover 

• The budget work continues with Joint Budget revelation of $3.7M shortfall

• Reorganization provides minimal savings, mostly in Facilities on Town side

• Level service means no additions to current budget which was significantly cut and added fees due to the failed override

• Ultimately the Subcommittee came together that there is a significant hole for FY 2026

• Town to add their wish list to go along with the Tier 2, 3, & 4 cuts as presented in June

• School to bring updated figures forward months earlier than normal

• Subcommittee to work through the wish list to get to the needs, review priorities

• Town Council committed to discuss an override question (yes or no) at a February 2025 meeting; assuming yes, then also to set date, and choose an amount

• No reason not to begin discussions with community around the minimum shortfall and how to handle it

The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1313-chalkboard-chat-recaps-the-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-11-07-24/

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Contact info for Dave McNeill ->  mcneilld@franklinps.net   

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting

• Agenda for Oct 23, 2024 session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/jbsc_agenda_revised_oct_23_2024.pdf   

• Franklin TV video of session -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWmbJdKWrAY

• wfpr.fm audio of the session ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/10/joint-budget-subcmte-meeting-oct-23-24.html 

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

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

• 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

• 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"

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the Joint Budget meeting & the need to begin discussions now (audio)

Town Council spends 2 hours and takes "no action" on zoning proposal (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met as scheduled Wednesday, February 28, 2024. the first 2 hours covered the earlier portions of the meeting and most of the time was spent on a healthy conversation around the proposed zoning change from residential to business for two lots on King St near the Fire station. 

The Council after spending almost 2 hours listening to the proposal (no specific business use proposed) (the real question was should the lot be residential or business?) the Council decided to take "no action". This move allows them to refer  the zoning change back to the Planning Board which while they had a quorum discuss this previously, the recommended was with only 3 votes, not the full 5 of the Board (due to the recent election).

The Franklin TV recording is available -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqa0QHtahmQ

The meeting agenda can be found ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_2.28.24.pdf

My notes captured during the session via Twitter can be read in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CBubvtPzSJSvQakhmMx1X7M44cCPu7W_/view?usp=drive_link

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/sH38Yj6iD5yE6KPQ9

Aside from the zoning discussion:

• Brownie troop 64085 led the pledge as part of the work on the Democracy badge
• The minutes for the Jan meeting were approved
• The OPEB financial report was presented and reviewed, we are in a better position than we were previously
• FY24 Capital Improvement Plan was approved
• associated transfers to account for the funding approval were also approved
• The Council voted to support the Pending State Legislation Entitled “The Municipal Empowerment Act”
• The Revised 2024 Town Council Meeting Schedule was approved
• Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($2,900), Senior Center ($200), Police Dept. ($50)  were approved with thanks
• Designation of “Special Municipal Employee” Under State Ethics Law were approved for newly create committees not previously covered by this move (housekeeping)
• Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 actually 2 resolutions were approved. If the "empowerment Act noted above becomes law, this kind of approval would disappear from Council agendas
• Council entered executive session to not return to open meeting for discussion of a matter regarding a real estate purchase
• Joint Budget SubCmte meeting on March 6 will begin work on how to resolve a $10.5M budget deficit across town and school budgets. Agenda and budget details to be released Friday March 1

"unemployment taxes are 'probably the first of many bills' from the pandemic"

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

"With unemployment soaring, state lawmakers are considering ways to soften the blow from a major impending increase in the taxes employers pay toward the state’s unemployment system, a jump in costs that one business group described as a “pretty staggering.”

With the unemployment insurance trust fund suddenly facing a multibillion-dollar deficit over the next four years, the contributions required from Massachusetts businesses are set to increase nearly 60% when the calendar turns to 2021 and then continue growing at a smaller rate through 2024.

Those higher taxes -- estimated at an average of $319 more per qualifying employee next year -- will be due starting in April, raising concerns that the sharp uptick will put a drag on the economic recovery from the ongoing COVID-prompted recession and make it more difficult for employers to bring back jobs they cut.

Christopher Carlozzi, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business Massachusetts, said his group and the employers with which it works view the projected increases as “a looming crisis.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200906/how-is-massachusetts-going-to-pay-all-of-unemployment-requests-employers-will-face-staggering-hike-in-unemployment-taxes?rssfeed=true

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 4, 2020

Agenda for Meeting Date March 4, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. February 5, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
a. Boston Post Cane Award

5. APPOINTMENTS
- None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS 
- None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
A. Municipal Aggregation
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8a._municipal_aggregation.pdf

B. FY21 Budget Update
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._fy21_budget_update.pdf

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Capital Budget Subcommittee

B. Budget Subcommittee

C. Economic Development Subcommittee

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-14: The Town of Franklin Civil Discourse Pledge (Motion to approve Resolution 20-14 - Majority Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-15: Appropriation of Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per M.G.L Ch.44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-15 - Majority Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-853: Zoning Map Changes on or Near Pleasant, Chestnut, and Brook Streets - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-853 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-Law Amendment 20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations, And Use Regulations Schedule Updates- Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-849 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets- Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-850 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-851 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Collective Bargaining

I request a motion that the Board vote to convene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Board.

15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION: LEGISLATION FOR ACTION, CONTINUED

a. Resolution 20-16: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the AFSCME Local 1298, Council 93, Public Facilities Maintenance Employees and the Town of Franklin (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-16 - Majority Vote)

ADJOURN


The agenda and associated documents can be found at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-4-town-council-meeting

The agenda can also be found in a single PDF file
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-03-04_town_council_meeting_packet_final_0.pdf

Note:

• Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
• Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Franklin Public Library entrance at night

The projected budget deficits for Franklin FY 2021 and beyond

The one page spreadsheet depicts the projected budget deficits facing Franklin for fiscal year 2021 and beyond. This page was part of the handout for the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting on June 19, 2019. 

Plans have started for an override to be put before the voters for the FY 2021 budget. The specific amount and details remain to be finalized. The timing of the override vote also remains to be determined.

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/06/joint-budget-subcommittee-meeting-june.html 

As acknowledged in the meeting, these numbers are projections. The rationale and timing for 'finalizing' the numbers is outlined by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen is captured in the audio recording of the meeting:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/06/fm-167-joint-budget-subcommittee.html

You can download a copy of the spreadsheet
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UMZFs6fJxSHB6gj_yKVCldt2oOjd8jPg/view?usp=sharing

Franklin FY 2021 and future projected budget deficits

In the news - deficit ahead, museum name

Despite passing a $2.7 million override last year to prevent drastic cuts in schools, the town is again facing an estimated $3-$4 million deficit this year, according to Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche.

State leaders say Franklin, when compared with other towns, is in good fiscal shape and receives more state aid than many of its counterparts.

They have been doing well. My district is one of the highest communities in terms of getting money (from the state),'' said state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham.

Likewise, state Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, said, ``Franklin gets more state aid than almost any other community in Massachusetts, especially with six or seven new buildings.''

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

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As part of its move to the former senior center on West Central Street, the Horace Mann Museum is getting a new image.

For starters, Horace Mann is getting the boot in favor of a less confusing title that does not imply a museum for the historical figure, said Carol Harper, chairwoman of the Historical Commission. The Historical Commission, which runs the museum, wants the public to know the building showcases Franklin artifacts - such as straw hats manufactured here by the same company that supplied hats for the movie, "Gone with the Wind," Harper said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News