This Chalkboard Chat session recaps the Finance Cmte School Budget Discussion (05/15/24) (audio)

FM #1210 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1210 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Finance Committee Chairperson George Conley, and School Committee Vice-Chairperson Dave McNeill in this special edition of Chalkboard Chat. We met to record this conversation virtually on Monday, May 20, 2024.  

We talk about 

• School budget updates for the Finance Committee budget hearing

• Impact if the override fails

• Redistricting approach convinced George to go for the override 

• Reminder to cast a vote on or before June 11

The conversation runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Dave and George. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1210-chalkboard-chat-fincom-recap-05-20-24

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Contact info for George Conley  geconley47@gmail.com 

Finance Committee page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

Contact info for Dave McNeill   mcneilld@franklinps.net 

School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

School Budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget 

Town FY 2025 budget narrative  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy_25_budget_message_narrative_updated_links_2.pdf 

Town FY 2025 budget book 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_ta_budget_book_v2.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

• 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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.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"

This Chalkboard Chat session recaps the Finance Cmte School Budget Discussion (05/15/24) (audio) 

Finance Committee hears updates from School Committee, approves series of measures to send to Town Council (audio)

FM #1205 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1205 in the series. 

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee conducted their 3rd and final budget hearing on the FY 2025 budget on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Seven of the nine members of the Committee participated, one remotely, so all the votes were via roll call.  

Quick recap:

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen briefly covered the Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie budget items. Their representatives were unable to participate this year.

• Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Business Administrator Dr Dutch, and School Committee Vice-Chair Dave McNeill presented from the table. Asst Supt Paula Marano provided updates on special education programs and answered those questions

• As the budget has been presented a number of times, there was an attempt to provide the "readers digest" version, and they were mostly successful.

• Some changes noted:

• They did provide an update on the migrant funding from DESE, a check for $335K+ was just received and another to account for the 72 students currently in the system is expected in June. These funds can only be used to support the migrant students and are not in the budget

• The transportation increased projected earlier at 1100 was reduced to $500 per student and to compensate, the number of FTEs potentially laid off would increase from 30 to 47

• They also presented an outlook on the funding to be allocated assuming the override does pass. The schools would get the $6.3M in the first year, and then $4M plus in each succeeding year 

• The committee then votes to approve the series of resolutions to provide the fund accounting for the budget. Only one vote received a "no", all others passed by the 7-0-2 (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)

• Water rate increase was approved for the next 2 years (Council still needs to approve)

• Curbside pickup rate increase approved (Council still needs to approve)

• Stormwater fee increase approved (Council still needs to approve)

The recording runs about 2 hours & 34 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link ->

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1205-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-3rd-and-final-for-fy-2025-05-15-24

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The meeting agenda ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-05-15_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf 

Franklin TV video replay available on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nQoCPNfd4A&t=53s 

My notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1glI98EwFQFhgMW0OFeAJ6ZrSFGBxMusm/view?usp=drive_link 

Photos of the presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/3wrikZJytiS2QUbV6 

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

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"

slide with the funding projection assuming the override passes

Finance Committee hears updates from School Committee, approves series of measures to send to Town Council (video)

The Franklin, MA Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 PM in the Council Chambers. This was the 3rd of three budget hearings. 

7 members of the committee participated, one remotely so all votes were via roll call. 2 members were absent.

The meeting agenda ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-05-15_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf

Franklin TV video replay available on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nQoCPNfd4A&t=53s

Quick recap:

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen briefly covered the Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie budget items. Their representatives were unable to participate this year.
• Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Business Administrator Dr Dutch, and School Committee Vie-Chair Dave McNeill presented from the table. Asst Supt Paula Marano provided updates on special education programs and answered those questions
• As the budget has been presented a number of times, there was an attempt to provide the "readers digest" version, and they were mostly successful.
• Some changes noted:
• They did provide an update on the migrant funded from DESE, a check for $335K+ was just received and another to account for the 72 students currently in the system is expected in June. These funds can only be used to support the migrant students and are not in the budget
• The transportation increased projected earlier at 1100 was reduced to $500 per student and to compensate, the number of FTEs potentially laid off would increase from 30 to 47
• They also presented an outlook on the funding to be allocated assuming the override does pass. The schools would get the $6.3M in the first year, and then $4M plus in each succeeding year 
• The committee then votes to approve the series of resolutions to provide the fund accounting for the budget. Only one vote received a "no", all others passed by the 7-0-2 (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)
• Water rate increase was approved for the next 2 years (Council still needs to approve)
• Curbside pickup rate increase approved (Council still needs to approve)
• Stormwater fee increase approved (Council still needs to approve)

My notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1glI98EwFQFhgMW0OFeAJ6ZrSFGBxMusm/view?usp=drive_link

slide with the funding projection assuming the override passes

Finance Committee reviews Public Safety and Public Works budgets (audio)

FM #1198 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1198 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee budget hearing, the second of 3 sessions conducted on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The 3rd session is scheduled for May 15, 2024. Then the Town Council does their budget hearing over 2 nights, May 22 & May 23. 

The departmental budgets covered were:

• Public Safety:

• 210 Police Department

• 220 Fire Department

• 225 Regional Dispatch

• 240 Inspection Department

• 292 Animal Control

• b. Department of Public Works (DPW):

• Departments: 422 Public Works

• Enterprise Funds:

• 450 Water

• 440 Sewer

• 434 Solid Waste

• 460 Stormwater

The meeting runs about 1 and 20 minutes. Let’s listen to the second of 3 budget hearings. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1198-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-2-of-3-05-08-24

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/kRJStUo28Q8?si=YQQ8EPTnnAz3XMJe&t=61 

The agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-05-08_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf 

Follow along with the budget voting doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_ta_budget_book_v2.pdf 

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

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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.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"

Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #2 of 3 - Public Safety & Public Works - May 8

What's happening May 8 in Franklin, MA?

Wednesday, May 8
1:00pm Senior Scribblers (recording session at Franklin TV)
5:30pm My Lady & Me Jewelry Workshop (Franklin Public Library)
7:00pm Pops Night (FHS Auditorium)

Town of Franklin Meetings

6:30pm Master Plan Update Cmte - Meeting 3rd floor trng room)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-may_8_2024.pdf

7:00pm Finance Cmte: Budget Hearing #2 of 3 - Public Safety, Public Works (Council Chambers)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-05-08_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)