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The Finance Committee spends about 3 hours reviewing details of the FY 2027 budget on Wednesday, April 8. This is the third of 4 sessions this week to review and question the details of the budget.
8 of the 9 members of the committee were present in Council Chambers for this session.
Discussion on the accounting for and if the Maplegate solar permits are in this year or next. It was received this year but may or may not become free cash, it depends upon the budget line item and whether that amount is over or under the budgeted amount
Gus could use another inspector, it would pay for itself but others do need the resources more; Currently have 1.5 used to have 3 clerical; inspectors have also become administrators, and it reduces some revenue opportunity
Use of pre-buy locked in rates through Norfolk County procurement has been good. Haven't locked in for next year yet due to the recent market gyrations
Discussion on the creation of Stormwater and the shortage for grounds (2 personnel)
We have to change something or nothing will change It is clear now why we did ask for an override.
Next up PoliceChief Lynch, level service plus 2, looking to get the SROs back
Took 23 years to get to the budgeted amount (54) which at that time would have successfully serviced the population at that time
Hired 44 police officers since 2016 due to retirees and turnover, it should slow down ... The force is younger, hiring is harder, not many want to apply. It is getting more difficult. Only 9 months out of 10 years have the dept been at full staff.
The mental health clinicians provide great value, post COVID. They see over 800 people a year. The pilot was successful, we looked to expand and with additional grant funds we did. The single best change in law enforcements I have seen in my 30 years
Next up, Chief Allen, Fire Dept.
3rd ambulance still in part time, 40 hours per work
Would need 4 more to get to 13/shift to staff the ambulance all the time
During this meeting, there were 2 calls that were serviced by outside and transported to the hospital so those were lost revenue ... The nature of the call would determine the amount of the revenue It is not just the ambulance, it is also the ladder truck
Definition clarification on level service, the service provided is not necessarily at the same funding required; there is also a level funded budget where the funded
$ for one year remains the same (and usually services are cut)
And yes, there is some funkiness with this level service budget as there are things being added back, so is it this year's level service or the desired part of some prior year's service?
Dispatch Center or the MECC being covered
Also skipped Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie last night with no explanation given for it
Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie, both assessments based upon enrollment, not much of a change year to year
So Thursday night, the Finance Committee will use the 3rd Floor Training room for their discussion to be more around a table rather than spread out to help their discussion. Potential revisions coming to the budget, what they are we'll watch and see.
Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Baseball = Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final
– In a defensive battle, Franklin held on for a tight win on the road, stranding the tying and winning run on base in the bottom of the seventh. After a scoreless first two innings, the Panthers opened up the game in the third inning off of an error. Sean Kryzak got the Panthers on the board again in the fifth inning with a two-out, two-run double to left field, plating Jack Sullivan and Owen Pennini, who had back-to-back singles. North Attleboro was able to get some momentum going in the sixth inning with Marty Rogers and Jake Ronci both scoring. North threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Tommy Manning walked and Zach Breton was hit by a pitch, but Jacoby Brown induced a ground ball for the third out. Sullivan (three hits) and Owen Pennini (two hits, two runs) led the Panther’s offensive charge. Freshman Ethan Edmunds had a great first five innings on the mound for Franklin, only surrendering four hits and striking out nine.
Softball = North Attleboro, 3 @ Franklin, 9 – Final
– The Panthers jumped out to a lead right away with a four-run first inning and after North Attleboro cut into the deficit in the top of the third, answered with a three-spot in the bottom half to secure a win at home over the Rocketeers. Franklin’s patience at the plate in the bottom of the first turned into a 4-0 lead for the hosts. Sophomore Kate Juergens clubbed a double to score classmate Lindsey DeGirolamo (triple), and Molly Willey came through with a two-out single to plate Juergens to cut the deficit in half. But Franklin’s offense came back with a two-out rally, including a two-run double from Olivia Caruso (3-for-4, four RBI, run) and an RBI single from Sophia Sacramone to push the lead to 7-2. Caruso added an RBI single in the fifth and plated another run with a sac fly in the sixth to cap a strong day at the plate. Addi Weiss added two hits and scored two runs for Franklin. Sacramone earned the win in the circle, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, one walk, and three strikeouts; Abby Souza tossed two scoreless innings in relief without giving up a hit.
– The Panthers built a five-goal lead by halftime and kept that advantage throughout the second half to knock off the visiting Warriors. Junior Charlie Ballarino (three assists) and freshman Kellan Taccini (one assist) each scored four goals to spearhead the attack for Franklin. Senior Thomas Quinn (two assists) scored a hat trick, senior Quinn Kielty (assist) tallied twice, and seniors Ryder Hanchett and Ben Scaccia each found the back of the net once. Senior Ethan Barnes helped anchor the defense with four takeaways and four ground balls while senior Dean Lawless made 10 saves in the cage.
Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 12 @ Foxboro, 8 – Final
Boys Tennis = North Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final
Girls Tennis = Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final
For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
The Finance Committee spends about 4 hours reviewing details of the FY 2027 budget on Tuesday, April 7. This is the second of 4 sessions this week to review and question the details of the budget.
8 of the 9 members of the committee were present in Council Chambers for this session.
Time spent at the opening to answer questions carried over from the Facilities discussion on Monday
Technology, Tim Raposa presents and answers questions
Next up, Schools - Supt Giguere, Business Manager Jana Melotti, Paul Griffith (SchCmte Chair)
Discussion among the committee on how to proceed, ultimately will use the Thursday session to consolidate their approaches in a discussion to lead to a recommendation vote.
Note - meeting location likely to change from Chambers to 3rd Floor Trng Room (Conservation Commission would come down to Chambers).
Join Building Equitable Neighborhoods (BEN) for Franklin on Saturday, May 2nd for our fourth annual walking discussion of downtown Franklin! The event is part of an international series in memory of social activist and placemaker Jane Jacobs.
Join this year's Jane's Walk for conversation and reflection with neighbors! - May 2
The ~1.5 hour tour will begin at 10:30 AM from the Franklin TV studio (43 Hutchinson St, Franklin, MA). Parking available.
All are welcome, including pets and wheels!
Join us for refreshments and continued discussion after the walk!
This year, we will be joined by regional planning professionals from Congress for a New Urbanism (CNU) New England!
The Finance Committee spends over 5 hours reviewing details of the general government portions for the FY 2027 budget on Monday, April 6. This is the first of 3 or 4 sessions this week to review and question the details of the budget.
8 of the 9 members of the committee were present in Council Chambers for this session.
