Joint Budget Subcommittee recommends to the Town Council a $3.862 M override for Tuesday, June 3 (audio)

FM #1404 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1404 in the series. 

This session shares the last of the 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions held Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the FHS Auditorium. 10 of the 11 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen & School Supt Lucas Giguere.

Quick recap:

• Brief statements by TA Hellen and Supt Giguere opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. 

• Approx 100 folks in the audience this evening, a mix of town staff, school dept and teachers, and residents

• 10 members of the Joint Budget Subcmte present on the stage along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere

• A dozen folks asked questions, some more than 1; some got long answers, some got short answers

• the Subcommittee gets their say one at a time (beginning approx 9:15 PM), then after hearing the majority for the 3.8 number with some for a pyramid (also adding a higher #, 4.9 possibly)

• Motion for the $3863,672, seconded and then after discussion it passes by a 9-1 vote (1 voting no, O'Sullivan)

• Motion for Tuesday, June 3, 2025 as the date, second, passes 10-0

• motion to adjourn, passes 10-0

The recording runs about 3 hours 20 minutes , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1404-joint-budget-listening-session-6-03-12-25/

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

Franklin TV video for viewing -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3yEVAe0NHU 

Meeting agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03122025-1620

My notes captured during the session  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Afr2hGWcMvzGJX1zd_VojMpjkl9WMTU-/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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

Updated FY 2026 budget document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4593/2025-03-05-Town-Council-Preliminary-Budget-Presentation-v2 

Citizen discounts and exemptions -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4418/Local-and-State-Assistance-Programs-PDF 

You can find the collection of video, audio, and transcripts for the prior sessions here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/joint-budget-listening-sessions-fy-2026.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

• 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"

Joint Budget Subcommittee recommends to the Town Council a $3.862 M override for Tuesday, June 3

Watch, Listen, Read: Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Session #3 at Franklin Senior Center - 02/19/25

This combines the video, audio, and transcript for the 3rd of the 6 listenting sessions in advance of the possible override decision/discussion for the FY 2026 budget.

This is the third of 6 listening sessions scheduled through March 12, 2025 in advance of a decision on an override (yes, or no), when? and for what amount. The decision discussion is committed to be on the agenda for the March 19 Town Council meeting.

** Watch

video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/HWM25y_m2Bk?&t=552 

** Listen

audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1387-joint-budget-listening-session-3-02-19-25/

** Read

Transcript prepared by Otter.ai and edited for speaker name accuracy. As the audio time stamp is also included you can synch the transcript to either the video or audio to catch the full spoken word.

PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E47i3-VB8czSpbt_Ovx8o5omlcmzwQiB/view?usp=drive_link

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

The agenda doc ->  https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_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

3rd of 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions held, more questions & answers

SAFE Coalition statement on Opioid Settlement funds

SAFE is thankful to Mike Beaudet and WCVB for highlighting the opioid abatement fund expenditure concerns in a recent news segment. 

SAFE Coalition has worked with over a dozen communities in Massachusetts to advise, coordinate, and deliver community services related to opioid abatement funds. “Families and individuals who have been impacted by the opioid epidemic deserve these funds to go to support and recovery,” says SAFE CEO and co-founder Jen Levine. “We want to help make that process as quick and seamless as possible.”

Founded in 2015, SAFE is the only nonprofit in southeast Massachusetts offering wraparound, zero-cost substance use and mental health services to individuals and families. We have close, first-hand knowledge of the opioid crisis’s impact today and the complex landscape of municipal abatement funds. 

Opioid Settlement funds

Opioid fund expenditure plans are incredibly specific, seeking impact through seven key strategies including supporting people in treatment and recovery, building greater connections to care, offering harm reduction (like Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and safe syringe programs), supporting parents and families, and preventing misuse through prevention education. 

SAFE has a team dedicated to understanding this expenditure strategy and working with municipalities to get it right the first time. “We can appreciate how this unique funding source can create gaps in municipal knowledge related to spending,” Levine says. “Our hope is to bridge that knowledge gap so funds can be allocated according to set timelines and expectations.” 

Families and individuals have been impacted by the opioid epidemic for over 20 years. “By utilizing these funds, we honor all those who have struggled or are currently struggling and encourage people to get care before crisis” says Levine. 

SAFE works directly with communities to deliver targeted services based on their highest needs. SAFE's services are designed to support individuals at every stage of their recovery journey, from individual and family support groups to youth education initiatives, peer-led programs, mediation, and counseling services. 

We also provide practical resources such as diaper and car seat banks, medication take-back events, Narcan training, trauma-centered yoga, and CPR instruction – all designed to address the broader social and environmental determinants of substance misuse and mental health. 

Through a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach, we ensure that individuals in the community can readily access the critical services they need to improve their overall health, safety, and well-being.

Editorial note: One would think that after some of the reporting errors around the ARPA funds, that the major news organizations would have learned that there is time between when the funds are announced, when they are actually available, and when they can be spent. Municipalities can not spend money they don't have. 

In Franklin's case, which I know from my years of experience reporting on, the Town was recently released funds, and notified of the funding flow for the next 10 years. The Town presented to the Finance Committee and then to the Town Council. The readily available funds are authorized for spending. The future authorizations extend out 10 years. Those funds are not in hand, and not yet authorized. So for the news organization to claim such inaction in spending is false and irresponsible.

Finance Committee meeting at which the funding allocation was recommended for approval (recap, audio & video links) ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html

The Town Council meeting at which the funding allocation was approved  

(recap, audio & video links) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html

The first authorization of opiod settlements funding occured in the June 26, 2024 meeting reported on here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/in-marathon-session-town-council-cuts.html

First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour at the Elks, Jan 30 at 7 PM

Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour

(Members of the Town Council, School Committee, and Finance Committee)

Thursday, January 30, 2025 = 7:00 PM

Franklin Elks

Agenda

1. Call the meeting to order & Pledge of Allegiance

2. Town Administrator and Superintendent of Schools Opening Remarks

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

3. Public listening session

Citizens are welcome to express their views or ask questions on matters of town or school budgets and finance.

4. Adjourn

Available to Comcast and Verizon subscribers as well at to YouTube at  https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall

The agenda doc can be found

https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01302025-1536

First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour at the Elks, Jan 30 at 7 PM

First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour

Capital Budget Subcommmittee to review the FY 2026 capital budget - Jan 29 - 7 PM

The Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Town Council gets to review and vote on the capital budget at their session Wednesday night.

The Finance Committee reviewed this capital budget among the items on its agenda at their Jan 15 meeting. The recap, audio and video links are available here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html

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 capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday

The Capital Budget Subcommittee agenda ->   https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01292025-1526

The meeting will be broadcast to Comcast & Verizon subscriber as well as to Zoom and to YouTube  https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall

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 

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walking the committee thru the memo on the capital budget https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/04a._fy25_capital_improvement_plan_memo.pdf 

• Many clarification questions on what for when, as well as possible reallocation of the recommendation. Chart on free cash is for information purposes

• First resolution on use of free cash for the capital budget resulted in a discussion around amending the amount and creating a technology stabilization fund but ultimately that did not get amended and it was approved as proposed by a 7-0-2 (7 for, 2 absent) vote

• Second resolution on funding from the enterprise accounts was approved as recommended with the same 7-0-2 vote

• Now to the Opioid settlement funds. Memo  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._opioid_settlement_funds.pdf   and the Resolution for approval https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._1_-_resolution_25-02_-_opioid_funding.pdf 

• After explanation of the current funding and a look at future funds coming (approx. $1.2M) the vote to approve the resolution passed 7-0-2

• Now to the "hold harmless" topic for Chapter 70 school funding. State house news article references a commission to look at school funding 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 

• We are currently getting $12m over what the school funding formula calls for. We are the 2nd largest hold harmless (Boston #1) A change to the formula takes time. Jamie has been warning of this for some years. 

• Approximately 18-20m of town costs for school functions go to the net school spending. accounting to determine the per pupil spending calculation. ** $27m for FY 2024 fiscal year is actual. Confirmed that 24, 25 and 27 for last 3 years

• Long and complex discussion around the possible review of the formula

• Folks see the buildings going up but the population has been flat. Great quote from Jamie (to clip later) on the wealth growth and the hold harmless getting worse unless we choose to pay more

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/

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

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"