Finance Committee gets insights on the enterprise funds & approves fiscal policy revision (video)

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Oct 21 in Council Chambers. All 9 members participated, 1 remotely.

Franklin TV for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/6TyCyxQt1cw?si=CGwvJ7CY9zKzCm2L&t=219

The agenda for this session - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10212026-2572 

Quick recap

• The DPW Enterprise funds (water, sewer, solid waste, & storm water) are separate from the general fund. These are all user based funds from fees for the service, and the expenses for those services are paid from these accounts. The accounts are set to maintain a balance for emergencies, and in some cases calculated to build the balance to offset the need for a rate increase
• Slides presented captured in this photo album https://photos.app.goo.gl/9K8Hgc8HUVjg3umw5
• Review & discussion of the 1Q budget to date report
• https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11317/5b-Local-Receipts-Enterprise-Revenues-Budget-to-Actual-Report-9-30-2026
• Review & discussion on the fee revenue generated by department
• https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11375/5c-FY-2026-Revenue-By-Departments-ONLY
• Review & discussion on the expense analysis by Department through 1Q FY 2027
• https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11376/5d-FY2026-Expense-Analysis-by-Departments
• Review & discussion on the FY 2027 budget tracker. Dept Management gets this report monthly, the Finance Committee gets this quarterly
• https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11384/September-FY27-Budget-Tracker

My notes in one PDF as captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OnhbqHca8MjRiJW7ysNjxepf0_wKYxGU/view?usp=drive_link

Audio recording of the School Committee Policy Subcommittee meeting Oct 13, 2026 available (audio)

FM #1838 - This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1838 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. All 3 members (Dave Callaghan (Chair), Al Charles, Reis Hansen) participated in the session held in the 3rd floor training room. Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Dr Tina Rogers also participated.

Quick recap:

• discussion on the school grounds, community access allowed but not during school hours; The safety of students and schools takes priority; had been in policy discussion before but unsure of what happened as it never made it to the full committee, cross refs confirmed; vote to move to full Cmte passes 3-0; discussion also on press release and map of where signs are or will be posted to inform the community of access and NOT during school hours

• review of policy on field trips to create a more standard approach across the levels; links to other policies for extended and overnight field trips; recurring trips get approved by SchCmte also, some by special vote, some in Consent agenda; looking to tighten the language to make it clear; separate the exception clause to make it stand alone more appropriately and not confuse the sentence where it currently is; motion to bring to first read, second, passes 3-0

• new business 

• possible in spring a review of the documents required for enrollment confirmation of Franklin residency and have updates periodically, as needed (life changes) with the internal documents aligned with the procedures and process as well as confirming residency

• auditing the READ act to see how policies align and if any changes are needed, confirming internal procedures also align with the existing or expected policy

• next up, fiscal policy resource kit as part of review of the policies, helpful for passing along info to new members of the committee; setting expectations; discussion on review of these policies, the oldest not reviewed, minor wordsmithing required; will pick up DBD next time, motion to adjourn, passes 3-0

• Meeting adjourns, folks move to Chambers for full School Committee meeting

The recording runs about 53 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1838-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-10-13-26/

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The meeting agenda can be found -> 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10132026-2558 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KQwwtCt2nwHOX2ny8ANnYDcVwCxGGsHZ/view?usp=drive_link 

School Committee Policy manual - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/policy-manual 

School Committee Subcommittee assignments

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 

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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 out. 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"

Agenda for the Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, October 21 at 6:00 PM

Finance Committee 

Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building 

2nd Floor Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments 

- Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Finance Committee cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Finance Committee may ask town staff to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the town staff from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. Approval of Minutes

a. September 23, 2026

4. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive Series”

a. Financial Policies - 2026-2027 Fiscal Policies   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11345/4a-2026-2027-Fiscal-Policies

b. DPW Enterprise Funds

 

5. Standing Updates:

a. Stabilization Account Report

b. Budget vs Actuals 9-30-2026 Pls note this does not include September’s interest

c. Fees Revenue by Department 6-30-2026

d. FY2026 Expense Analysis by Department 6-30-2026

e. FY27 Budget Tracker as of 9-30-2026

6. Future Agenda Items/Next meeting date:

a. December 9, 2026 - Long Term Debt

7. Finance Committee Member Comments

8. Adjourn

The full agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10212026-2572

SchCmte Policy subcommittee tackles fiscal policies, promotes PROTECT Act item to full committee (exclusive audio)

FM #1817 - This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1817 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. All 3 members (Dave Callaghan (Chair), Al Charles, Reis Hansen) participated in the session held in the 3rd floor training room. Superintendent Giguere, Dr Tina Rogers, and Dr Bob Dutch also participated.

Quick recap:

• Discussion on the recent release of new model policies, procedures and guidance by the Healey-Driscoll Administration today to help K-12 schools and child care programs respond to civil immigration enforcement, protect confidential information and implement the PROTECT Act ahead of the 2026–2027 school year. The District already had internal procedures covering such circumstances, this release brings it to a policy level with minimal wording changes to agree with the standards. Recommendation to move policy as discussed (include track changes in the doc)for first reading to the Sch Cmte, motion to move second, passes 3-0 

• Next up a series of fiscal policies and take the opportunity to build out a review of these, esp. since the budget timeline has changed. It will take time to roll through these and make modifications before bringing them to the full committee. They have the time to do so without rushing. The superintendent adds a comment to better clarify the transparency involved discussion around how the community is involved. "greatest educational return." Discussion on the fine line between advocating for school needs vs. recognition of town fiscal funding reality

• Up for next time; policy on access to school grounds during the school day, encouraging use of the facility outside of school hours, and the freedom to read act is being reviewed to see what policies may be required for update

• Meeting adjourns, folks move to Chambers for full School Committee meeting

The recording runs about 51 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1817-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-09-08-26/

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

The meeting agenda can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082026-2485 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IF18b3caQKDgzNkfSalZUMrtwHb2uCQ3/view?usp=drive_link 

Gov Healey’s press release on the guidance that drove the first discussion item

https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-releases-new-guidance-to-implement-protect-act-in-schools-and-child-care-programs

School Committee Policy manual - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/policy-manual 

School Committee Subcommittee assignments

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 

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

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 out. 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"

How to talk to your teens about credit and identity theft

via Federal Trade Commission: By BCP Staff

"Getting ready for college or back-to-school is a good time to talk with your teens about financial wellness. 

To help guide the conversation, the FTC has free tools on managing money, building credit, and protecting against identity theft. Creating good habits takes time, but here are some ideas to get you started."

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/08/how-talk-your-teens-about-credit-and-identity-theft?utm_source=govdelivery

Aging Agenda: Brian Maxfield, CFP (video)

Aging Agenda, a brand-new Franklin TV program offers practical conversations on life after 60.

Life after 60 does not have to mean scaling back dreams. It can be a time to choose new experiences, make thoughtful plans, and move confidently into the next chapter of life.

Aging Agenda, a brand-new show on Franklin TV hosted by Tony DaSilva, is a locally produced program that explores the important decisions people can make before and during retirement. In a relaxed interview format, DaSilva speaks with local experts about topics such as retirement timing, finances, taxes, wills and trusts, and ways to make the most out of life after leaving a traditional 8-to-5 career.

Tony talks with Brian Maxfield, CFP

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXTYChTbE-c