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)

Finance Cmte approves Pledge doc and goes line by line through General Government functions (audio)

FM #1196 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1196 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee budget hearing, the first of 3 sessions conducted on Monday, May 6, 2024.

The 2nd session is scheduled for May 8, the 3rd and final session scheduled for May 15, 2024. Then the Town Council does their budget hearing over 2 nights, May 22 & May 23. 

Quick recap:

• minutes of the April meeting moved to May 15 meeting for approval

• discussion on the override and pledge doc, led to approval by 8-0-1 (1 absent, Grace)  vote via roll call

• Committee then proceeded line by line through the departments, some questions raised, answered, some departments not questioned (Recreation for example touted as a 'net zero,' everything they are allocated for they return in fees raised)

• discussion on net school spending, how some budget expenses are on the Town side, some on the school side, all does get rolled up into net school spending annually by DESE with reporting from Town and School. The FY 2023 net school spending report coincidentally I had downloaded in answer to a question last week. The link is provided below 

The conversation runs about 2 and a quarter hours. Let’s listen to the first of 3 budget hearings. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1196-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-1-of-3-05-06-24

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gUpsku8VOg 

The agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_may_6.pdf 

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

My notes captured in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUBq2dVYhvNtq8VA3dREQESDo3U4awWM/view?usp=drive_link 

The net school spending report for Franklin (so yes this does include charter school students) ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-flBF-M1oNTIzcOTMjc7CDmYR9QEkWt2/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 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!

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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"

Finance Cmte approves Pledge doc and goes line by line through General Government functions (audio)

FinCom goes line by line through General Government functions, approves Pledge doc (video)

The Finance Committee met on Monday, May 6, 2024 as scheduled. 8 of the 9 members were present, 6 in person, 2 remote (hence roll call votes). 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gUpsku8VOg

The agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_may_6.pdf

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

Quick recap:

• minutes of the April meeting moved to May 15 meeting for approval
• discussion on the override and pledge doc, led to approval by 8-0-1 (1 absent, Grace)  vote via roll call
• Committee then proceeded line by line through the departments, some questions raised, answered, some departments not questioned (Recreation for example touted as a 'net zero' everything they are allocated for they return in fees raised)
• discussion on net school spending, how some budget expenses are on the Town side, some on the school side, all does get rolled up into net school spending annually by DESE with reporting from Town and School. The FY 2023 net school spending report coincidentally I had downloaded in answer to a question last week. The link is provided below

My notes captured in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUBq2dVYhvNtq8VA3dREQESDo3U4awWM/view?usp=drive_link

The net school spending report for Franklin (so yes this does include charter school students) ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-flBF-M1oNTIzcOTMjc7CDmYR9QEkWt2/view?usp=drive_link

FinCom goes line by line through General Government functions, approves Pledge doc (video)

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

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 7:00 PM 

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. FY25 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing continued...

FY25 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

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

a. Public Safety:

i. 210 Police Department

ii. 220 Fire Department

iii. 225 Regional Dispatch

iv. 240 Inspection Department

v. 292 Animal Control

b. Department of Public Works (DPW):

i. Departments: 422 Public Works

ii. Enterprise Funds:

1. 450 Water

2. 440 Sewer

3. 434 Solid Waste

4. 460 Stormwater

4. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-05-08_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf

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

What's happening May 6, 2024?

Monday, May 6

7:00 pm    Planning Board  3rd floor Trng Room

• Agenda doc (includes remote participation info) 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_6_2024.pdf

7:00pm    Finance Cmte: Budget Hearing #1 of 3 - General Gov't

• Agenda doc (includes remote participation info) 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_may_6.pdf

What's happening this weekend in Franklin? 

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

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)

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee Meeting - FY 2025 Budget Hearing - Part 1 of 3 - May 6 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Monday, May 6, 2024 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

a. April 17, 2024

4. “A Citizens Pledge to the Residents of Franklin”

a. Pledge document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/override_memorandum_of_understanding_final.pdf

b. Town Administrator/Superintendent of Schools Slideshow  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-05-01_override_pledge_presentation.pdf

5. FY25 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing:

FY25 Town Administrator Budget Materials website  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

a. General Government -

i. Departments: 111 Town Council, 123 Town Administrator, 131 Finance Committee, 135 Comptroller, 141 Assessors, 147 Treasurer-Collector, 151 Legal, 152 Human Resources, 155 Information Technology, 161 Town Clerk, 164 Elections & Registration, 171 Conservation Commission, 176 Appeals Board (ZBA), 177 Planning & Growth Management, 184 Agricultural Commission, 192 Public Properties & Buildings, 196   Purchasing & Central Services.

b. Human Services -

i. Departments: 510 Board of Health, 535 Disability Commission, 541 Council on Aging, 543 Veterans Services, 535 Disability Commission.

c. Culture & Recreation -

i. Departments: 610 Library, 630 Recreation, 690 Historical Museum, 691 Historical Commission, 693 Arts & Culture, 695 Cultural Council, 696 Cultural District Committee.

d. Debt & Interest -

i. Departments: 710 Debt Service - Principal, 750 Debt Service - Interest.

e. Employee Benefits:

i. Departments: 910 Retirement & Pension, 945 Risk Management (Liability Insurance).

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Adjourn

Remote participation info included in Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_may_6.pdf

Franklin High School is where it is at on Wednesday, April 24: Art around the world & Joint Meeting on Possible Override

• 
  Art Around the World, a  fun family and free event is scheduled for the 5:30 to 7:30 PM
   

You can listen to the conversation about the kid friendly (and did we say, “Free”) Create Art Around the World scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.  Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1158-fhs-nahs-create-art-round-the-world-03-07-24

• Joint Town Council & School Committee Mtg for an Operational Override Discussion April 24, 2024 - 7:00 PM until ??

The agenda was posted by the Town Council/Town Administration. The post from the School Committee/School District also adds a survey form to solicit questions and/or comments in advance of the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

1. Introduction from the Chairs of the Town Council and School Committee

2. Presentation

a. Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen and Superintendent of Schools, Lucas Giguere

3. Discussion & Public Hearing

a. To discuss the public opinion of an operational override

4. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote viewing info (No Zoom participation, only YouTube and cable viewing) ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-04-24_town_council_school_committee_agenda_.pdf

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel is available via cable or YouTube

• Comcast 9
• Verizon 29
• YouTube ->  http://bit.ly/43lBwVE

Question and/or comment link ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqX7WYOkT2nuhXQbYaIEF8q_0_Lbz2PUIx9WSn8-xKd5Ynsw/viewform

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

A Joint Meeting of the

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL & FRANKLIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

[A quorum of the Franklin Finance Committee will be in attendance]

April 24, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak Street

Meeting Agenda

1. Introduction from the Chairs of the Town Council and School Committee

2. Presentation

a. Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen and Superintendent of Schools, Lucas Giguere

3. Discussion & Public Hearing

a. To discuss the public opinion of an operational override

4. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-04-24_town_council_school_committee_agenda_.pdf

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

Finance Committee approves policy revisions, gets a summary of the FY 2025 budget & vents frustrations (video)

The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 as scheduled at 7:00 PM. 8 members participated, 5 in the Council Chambers, 3 remotely, 1 was absent. With the hybrid participation all votes were via roll call.

Agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_4.17.24.pdf

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgLQtP8Z1AM

Quick recap:

• Voted to approve both sets of minutes with an 8-0-1 (1 absent) vote via roll call
• After discussion and clarification questions, only one modification to remove a number and leave the percent in the policy to maintain the stabilization account was voted also by the 8-0-1 (1 absent) vote via roll call
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen gave a set of slides to highlight the proposed FY 2025 town budget
• photos were capture of the slides shown ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/4yBm9c9BQNaG9sJZ7
• Slide deck to be posted to Town page on Thursday (link to be added when available)
• Joint School Cmte and Town Council meeting scheduled for April 24 at Franklin High School
• Town Council to vote at May 1 meeting, (a) if there is to be an override, (b) when it would be, and (c) the amount 
• Frustrations with
• lack of action by multiple parties to avoid the fiscal cliff we are now facing
• lack of action on the redistricting decision by prior parties as it could have a potential fiscal impact at least long term if not short

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - April 17, 2024 - agenda for meeting

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment

3. Approval of Minutes

• a. December 13, 2023   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3a._fincom_minutes_-_2023.12.13.pdf
• b. February 7, 2024   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3b._fincom_minutes_-_2024.02.07.pdf

4. Town Fiscal Policies

• a. Review and Approve Draft “2024 Town Financial Policies”   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/4a._2024_fiscal_policies_draft_v2.pdf
• b. Current 2022-03 Fiscal Policies   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/4b._2022_fiscal_policies_revised_final_approved.pdf

5. Town Administrator FY25 Budget Proposal 

• a. Hearings: May 6 (General Gov), May 8 (Public Safety/DPW), May 15 (Education)
• b. School Committee Override Request   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._school_committee_override_letter.pdf
• c. State House News Article April 10, 2024 Chris Lisinki   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5c._house_proposes_57.9_bil_budget_for_new_fiscal_reality_house_of_representatives_statehousenews.com_.pdf

6. Standing Updates:

• a. Quarterly Year to Date Report    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6a._ytd_budget_expenditures_dec_2023_1.pdf
• b. Stabilization Report   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6b._stabilization_fund_balances_2-29-2024.pdf
• c. DOR Releases 2024 Statewide Median Household Price  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-average-single-family-tax#fy2024-

7. Adjourn

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_4.17.24.pdf

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - April 17, 2024 - agenda for meeting

Town of Franklin, MA: FY 2025 Budget released for review and discussion

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen released the proposed FY25 Budget as required by the Franklin Home Rule Charter. 

To view the proposed FY25 Budget, click on the link below:

https://t.co/QXneD0RCgk

Town of Franklin, MA: FY 2025 Budget released for review and discussion

Note: The Town budget is required to be balanced. The number shown from the Schools request is NOT the School budget amount approved by the School Committee on April 9, 2024. The full impact of what would be cut to bring the budget into balance or be considered as an override amount will be the focus of the joint meeting with Town Council and the School Committee on April 24 at the Franklin High School Auditorium (7 PM). 

There won't be a vote April 24 but there will be community input accepted. The Town Council will vote on the major questions If, when, and what amount, at their May 1 meeting.

Town Administrator's Recommended FY25 Budget Materials

• FY25 Town Administrator Budget Message (per Town Charter Section 6-4-1)
• Appendix A1 - Town Administrator Recommended Budget Voting Document & Budget Book (per Town Charter provision 6-5-1 & 6-5-2)
• Appendix B1 - Franklin Superintendent's Recommended FY25 Budget Executive Summary
• Appendix C1 - Historic Data: Budget Breakdown
• Appendix C2 - Historic Data: Operating Revenue
• Appendix C3 - Historic Data: Fixed Cost
• Appendix C4 - Historic Data: Local Aid
• Appendix C5 - Historic Data: Local Receipts
• Appendix C6 - Historic Data: Assessments
• Appendix C7 - Historic Data: New Growth
• Appendix C8 - Historic Data: Free Cash Balances
• Appendix C9 - Historic Data: FC & RE