Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (video)

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Nov 6 with 7 members participating in Council Chambers and 2 members absent (Batchelor, Hamilton)

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ejPhlcZs29g?si=otfRPnwkBa6Yta-B&t=158

The agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-06_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf

Quick recap:

• committee voted to keep same org structure as prior given status and new members, etc. Conley, Chair, Riley, Vice-Chair, Corbesierio, Clerk (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• committee approved the minutes for the 3 budget hearings in May (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the recommendation on FY25 Budget Adjustments and the committee voted to recommend them as discussed to the Town Council  (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• Jamie took time to outline the new Town and School Finance and Human Resources organization restructure, a work in progress for a number of years and finally operational, answered a number of clarification questions 
• Jamie also presented the FY24 Preliminary Expense Recap & Local Receipts year-end report  and the Stabilization Account Report and answered a number of clarification questions
• Brief update on the FY26 Budget Model and Fiscal Forecast Update, discussion around dodging a massive increase in the Norfolk County Retirement Fund, procedurally the Retirement Board should have bene more forthcoming about the increase, they weren't, still an item to watch
• Related to the retirement funding, it had been anticipated that once it was fully funded (approx. 2032, now 2035), those funds could be reallocated to the OPEB account and start paying that down more sooner. Confirmed delayed to 2035 currently
• As a result of the OPEB funding process, why doesn't the Town consider helping the Schools with the "hold harmless" funding. Can't be done all at once, it is about 12-15 Million, but the town is chipping away at OPEB, we should consider chipping away at the "hold harmless" too
• member comments lead to discussion (and future discussion) around how the committee can help raise the awareness of the community on the fiscal issues. More to come on that front

My notes captured during the meeting ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nZYVtQx2ljoXcuxpA78ltwoeWgRxKIlB/view?usp=drive_link

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (video)

Voices of Franklin: Sue Dewsnap's comments on "Franklin’s Financial Stability and Future Planning"

As a taxpayer, I have significant concerns for Franklin’s financial stability and the lack of conversations and planning at the Town Council level on the topic.  After the failed override in June 2024, there was no municipal contingency spending plan available until 2 weeks after the vote.  It is now 15 weeks into FY 2025, and we do not have a published five-year projection.  The last quantified five-year projection was published on May 7, 2019 (link below). Without this information, how have you been making financial decisions?  

I attended the September 11 Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting.  After the discussion, I left with an estimate of $4.0 - $5.0 million budget shortfall for FY 2026.  Let’s see how close I am when the Joint Budget Subcommittee reconvenes on October 23, which will be almost 4 months into FY 2025.  If my estimate is correct, a $4.0 - $5.0 million budget shortfall will result in town reductions of 40 – 50 employees.  Where are we going to reduce 40-50 employees?  Are you prepared for those difficult decisions?  How are you going to do collective bargaining with our employees?

I’m most concerned about the lack of interest, urgency and commitment from this Council to solving our Town’s financial challenges.  At the September 11 Joint Budget Subcommittee, we were told that the process to develop a projection and identify cuts to services “will take some time”.  I respectfully challenge this, as our finances are not that difficult to predict.  Next step would be to decide which departments absorb the cuts and the resulting service impacts to the community.  I see no reason why this information cannot be available for Council review by Thanksgiving.

It’s time to start elevating this topic and requiring accurate financial information from our Town Administration on a regular basis.  A $4.0 - $5.0 million shortfall will have significant implications to our town services and further erode our school programs.  Franklin will look less attractive to new families and our property values will decline.  That is not the Franklin that I want to see.  I ask you to put Franklin’s future financial stability at the top of your priority list.

Respectfully,

Susan Dewsnap

Link to May 7, 2019 five year fiscal forecast:  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy20_-_fy24_five_year_fiscal_forecast_document.pdf

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Sue Dewsnap's comments on "Franklin’s Financial Stability and Future Planning"

Hockomock Area YMCA schedules Financial Wellness Series for families of individuals with special needs

Financial Wellness Series 

Hockomock Area YMCA (@HockomockYMCA) posted  Mon, Sep 09, 2024:

 

Join us for our upcoming Financial Wellness Series workshops for families of individuals with special needs!

REGISTER NOW - BIT.LY/3yQGoJa

Shared from -> https://t.co/ZqjEqXZAby

Town of Franklin: Government 101 - budget cycle (audio)

Continuing to bring forward items from the archives, we share this podcast episode on the financial budget cycle. About the only thing that has changed since the recording in April 2022, is that at the time, the Town was still working towards the AAA rating. The Town of Franklin received that accolade (May 2022) the month after this recording.

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

Town of Franklin budget cycle

Note: As Chris Sandini has now retired, there are plans to update this with Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone and School Business Administrator Jana Vasconcelos-Melotti.

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series (audio)

We're going to the archives to bring forward a number of key items to share to help folks who are now newly engaged in the budget discussion to help understand the overall processes of Town of Franklin government in action.

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (audio) (2018)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-audio.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (video) (2019)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-video.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 - budget cycle (audio) (2022)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-budget.html

Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio) (August 2021)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-water-system.html

Town of Franklin: All about the sewer system, yes we have capacity for growth (audio) (2023)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-sewer-system.html

Franklin For All housing & zoning podcast series (audio) (2022-2023)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series (audio)

Franklin, MA: Job Opportunities for Finance, DPW, & Facilities

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Treasurer/Collector - Office of the Treasurer/Collector

Mechanic - Department of Public Works 

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Administrative Assistant - Department of Public Works

Updated 07/22/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Franklin, MA: Job Opportunities for Finance, DPW, & Facilities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities in Human Resources, Senior Center, Library. Facilities, Fire Dept, Finance, & DPW

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Benefits Coordinator - Human Resources

Senior Center Director - Franklin Senior Center

Deputy Library Director - Franklin Public Library

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department 

Summer Custodians - Facilities Department

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 05/08/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities in Human Resources, Senior Center, Library. Facilities, Fire Dept, Finance, & DPW

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Senior Center, Library, Facilities, DPW, Fire Dept & Finance

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Senior Center Director - Franklin Senior Center

Deputy Library Director - Franklin Public Library

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department 

Summer Custodians - Facilities Department

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Mechanic/Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 04/29/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Senior Center, Library, Facilities, DPW, Fire Dept & Finance

Special School Committee meeting enables interview of candidate for business administrator position (audio)

FM #1182 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1182 in the series. 

This session shares the Special School Committee meeting of Thursday, April 25, 2024. Chair Dave Callaghan, Al Charles, Dr Paul Griffith, Ruthann O’Sullivan, KP Sompally, Vice-Chair David McNeill were present; Erin Gallagher was absent. 

Candidate for the interview is the current assistant to the business administrator, as an interim position appointment. Janaina Vasconcelos-Melotti is here to present her background and answer questions.

The meeting recording runs about 60 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1182-special-school-cmte-mtg-04-25-24

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

Agenda for this session ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/sc_special_mtg._agenda_-_4_25_24.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lPQG_l9gieATruY5JDCh1u4QEkXZhNMX/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin TV Video was recorded but it is not yet available (not sure why).

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

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.

And if you have interesting in reporting or TV or radio operations, feel free to reach out. A conversation can lead somewhere.

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"

Special School Committee meeting enables interview of candidate for business administrator position (audio)

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities updated to include Senior Center with Library, Facilities, DPW, & Finance

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Senior Center Director - Franklin Senior Center

Deputy Library Director - Franklin Public Library

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department 

Summer Custodians - Facilities Department

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Mechanic/Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Summer Employment - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 04/25/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities updated to include Senior Center with Library, Facilities, DPW, & Finance

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Library, Facilities, DPW, & Finance -> could one of these positions be right for you?

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Deputy Library Director - Franklin Public Library

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department 

Summer Custodians - Facilities Department

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Mechanic/Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Summer Employment - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 04/23/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Library, Facilities, DPW, & Finance

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Fire dept, Facilities, Finance, & DPW

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department 

Summer Custodians - Facilities Department

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Mechanic/Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Summer Employment - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 04/09/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Fire dept, Facilities, Finance, & DPW

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Fire Dept, Finance, DPW, & Facilities (updated 4/03/24)

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Mechanic/Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Summer Employment - Department of Public Works

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 04/03/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Fire Dept, Finance, DPW, & Facilities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Fire Dept, Finance, DPW, & Facilities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Mechanic/Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Summer Employment - Department of Public Works

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 04/01/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Fire Dept, Finance, DPW, & Facilities

Franklin, MA: School Committee Webinar (virtual only) Apr 2, 2024 - 12:30 PM

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

School Committee Special Meeting

April 2, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:00 PM

Virtual only

Agenda: 

• Office of Campaign & Political Finance Webinar

Agenda doc with remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/sc_special_mtg._agenda_-_4_2_24.pdf

Franklin, MA: School Committee Webinar (virtual only) Apr 2, 2024 - 12:30 PM

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities updated 03/15/24

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Mechanic/Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Summer Employment - Department of Public Works

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 03/15/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities updated 03/15/24

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities in Finance, Facilities, and Public Works

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Mechanic/Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 03/13/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities in Finance, Facilities and Public Works